Meals on Wheels by ACC

Reviewed by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation

100% complete

$85,000 Goal


“I am an 80-year-old veteran and if I don’t cook, I don’t eat. What you are providing is a Godsend to me… Thank you.”

Impact: In 2022, Meals on Wheels by ACC served 595,717 meals to 4,100 seniors aged 60 and above. 

How do we do this? About half of the older adults we serve are homebound seniors. Our team of staff and 200 volunteers deliver a box of meals to almost 2,000 seniors every week. 300 of the frailest seniors, those who have difficulty even microwaving a meal, get a hot meal delivered every Monday through Friday. 

Our motto is, “delivering so much more than a meal,” because sometimes our delivery driver is the only person the seniors see in a day or even a week. The drivers provide a smile and a kind word to these isolated seniors. They are also trained to look out for changes in the seniors’ health status or other concerns. Meals on Wheels volunteers are the heart of our program and serve as caring eyes and ears to help seniors stay at home and live healthier, happier, and safer lives.

"To all the wonderful people in association with MOW, for without them--this world would stop!! I for one can't thank you enough and I know your value and wish you the Best! How do you spell blessings?  Volunteers! Yah! Thanks, one-N-all."

 

Our other major program is congregate dining for 1300 seniors. Before the pandemic, we had 20 lunch sites in community centers, churches, and senior apartment buildings. However, the pandemic forced us to close all of them and pivot to providing meals by delivery, and then to curbside pick-up. We are happy to report that we are slowly and safely reopening our lunch sites. Older adults can now get together once again, to socialize, play games, exercise, and have a meal together. The value of socialization cannot be emphasized enough, as loneliness and social isolation can greatly impact a senior’s health (https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html). Our new restaurant program gives seniors the opportunity to go to contracted restaurants to eat special senior meals. Through this program we are reaching some underserved communities, while also supporting local small businesses.

“Very happy to be included, I made lots of new friends through this program.”

Farm to Fork Capitol: We recently changed our major meal vendor to a local restaurants/caterer. Most of our meals now come from local vendors. While doing this is more expensive, it ensures that our meals are locally produced. We want older adults to also benefit from the agricultural bounty that surrounds Sacramento. We are proud to be serving freshly prepared, locally made meals. 

“I am grateful for every meal that I receive. I love everyone. They are delicious. Thank you.”

Meals on Wheels by ACC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and led by a volunteer Board of Directors. We believe that all seniors should be allowed to continue living at home independently, with dignity and respect. We strive to help seniors avoid premature institutional care and improve their quality of life, social well-being, and independence.

Giving Activity

Mission

Our mission is to enhance the dignity and quality of life of Sacramento area older adults through nutritional programs that include assessment of needs, education, supportive services, and assistance to families and caregivers.

Needs

We’ve been in business since 2010 and have grown the program steadily, until the pandemic when we started serving more seniors than ever before.

Like everyone else, we’ve been hit with rising costs from gas to food. We are constantly writing grant proposals to government entities and foundations, and continue to do fundraisers like Big Day of Giving. These funds are necessary for us to keep serving the community. A $30 donation will help feed a senior for a week. A $1,560 donation will help feed a senior for a year.

Meals on Wheels by ACC also accepts many other types of in-kind gifts ranging from new personal items like gloves, robes, and blankets, handmade placemats, cards, and other items to brighten the lives of our seniors. There are many opportunities for school classrooms, employee groups, scout troops, churches, and community organizations to get involved.

Pet food: Along with delivering meals to homebound seniors, we also provide dog and cat food for their furry friends! Thanks to our AniMeals program, seniors and their pets don't have to go hungry. The seniors we serve often face difficulty preparing meals for themselves, let alone their pets. We found that many participants were sharing their meals with their pets as a result. To support this program, we accept monetary donations as well as donations of unexpired and unopened canned or dry dog and cat food. We never have enough cat food!

Sponsorships are available to help demonstrate the caring community that we live, play, and work in. Sponsors to help hold an event, cover specific program costs, host volunteer activities, and/or purchase food supplies and equipment are always appreciated. Please call Meals on Wheels at (916) 444-9533 for available opportunities.

Equity Statement

Meals on Wheels mandate is to serve seniors aged 60 and above, who are “most in need.” We do this through a nutritional risk screen and other forms during the intake process. When expanding services, we also consider the location of food deserts and underserved communities throughout Sacramento County. Meals on Wheels staff speak Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hmong, Vietnamese, and other languages. We utilize translation services as needed and endeavor to partner with other community organizations that may help us expand our participant communities.

For the past two years, Meals on Wheels eared a SageCARE Bronze badge, indicating staff have completed LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency Training. We are actively working toward renewing this badge.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Meals on Wheels by ACC

other names

Meals on Wheels Sacramento; MoW

Tax id (EIN)

30-0610870

Mission Category

Human Services

Operating Budget

$5,000,001-$10 million

Organization Need

Funding: Program, In-Kind Donations, Volunteers

Demographics Served

Individuals with disabilities, Seniors, Low-income individuals/families

BIPOC Leadership

Both the Executive Director & Board Chair

Counties Served

Sacramento

Equity Statement

Equity Statement

Address

7375 Park City Drive
Sacramento, CA 95831

Service areas

Sacramento, CA, US

Phone

916-444-9533

fax

916-394-9156

Social Media