ABOUT US

A Lake Area United Way agency, Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana, Inc. is a community based, volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) non-profit agency serving the homebound elderly, ill and disabled, as well as adults and children in day care.  We began service in 1977, serving just 3 clients.  Over nearly three decades we have continued to grow, preparing 304,344 meals in 2005! 

Meals on Wheels delivers to clients throughout Lake County and also supports Porter County’s Meals on Wheels program.  Nutritionally balanced meals are delivered 5 days a week, Monday through Friday, to help homebound people stay healthy and remain independent.  Our program provides both long term nutritional support, as well as, short term assistance in a crisis or respite for caregivers.

Meals on Wheels is governed by a Board of Directors and administered by a paid staff of 14 full-time and 21 part-time employees.  The annual operating budget is just over $1.8 million and funding comes from the sale of meals, the Lake Area United Way, private donations, in addition to federal and state funds and grants.

In 2005, 688 volunteers donated 31,140 hours of service by delivering meals or working in the Central Kitchen.  Volunteers not only deliver meals, but they also provide a daily check on the client’s well being during their visit.  Volunteers are recruited from the communities served, as well as, from businesses and civic organizations in those areas.  Volunteer drivers delivered an average of 1,200 meals daily, logging over 169,000 miles on 59 routes in Lake County in 2005.

Meals are prepared in the Central Kitchen and later delivered to drop-off locations in each community where the volunteers meet to take over the delivery.   Volunteers usually deliver to 16 homes or less, investing 1 ½ to 2 hours of time during lunch time.  General diets and special diets are available which include diabetic, low sodium, low fat, low cholesterol, renal, and easy to chew.  Food can also be chopped or pureed to meet the client’s individual needs.  The meals are packaged in disposable containers and frozen meals are available for weekends, holidays or emergencies. 

Eligibility to receive meals is based on a person’s inability to fix meals for themselves as a result of physical or mental disability, illness, or lack of support system.  There are no eligibility criteria related to age, income, sex, religion, race, ethnicity or handicap.  Meals on Wheels also provides catered meals to children and adult day care centers.