“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.