Meals on Wheels (MOW)

What is Meals on Wheels? Click for Brochure

Client Menu: April 2018

The Broome County Office for Aging’s Meals on Wheels program is a home-delivered meal service available to eligible seniors who are unable to regularly prepare healthy meals for themselves. Meals are delivered Monday through Friday by caring volunteers who check on participants each day.  Participants overwhelmingly report a better sense of well-being and independence as a result of receiving Meals on Wheels. 

Delivery is available in Binghamton, Chenango Bridge, Conklin, Kirkwood, Harpursville, Windsor, and Whitney Point. 

Persons living in Endicott, Endwell, Johnson City, Vestal, or Maine can contact Meals on Wheels of Western Broome at 754-7856 or www.mealsonwheeelsofwesternbroome.com.

How do I know if I can receive Meals on Wheels?

To be eligible for home delivered meals, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Be 60 years old or older and
2. Live in an area served by the Broome County Office for Aging Meals on Wheels Program
3. Agree to meet with an Office for Aging Assessment Staff person in your home to determine if Meals on Wheels is an appropriate service.  In order to receive meals you must have a health condition making it difficult to prepare meals.

There is no income requirement to be eligible for Meals on Wheels.

Contributions

Voluntary contributions are requested for meals. No one is denied service due to an inability or unwillingness to contribute. All contributions are kept confidential. Contributions are used to support and expand the program. We suggest a $6.50 contribution per day for the two meals received. Contributions for meals can be paid with cash, check, credit, or EBT card.

How are the Meals delivered and what can I expect?

Each weekday you will receive a hot meal for lunch and a cold bag which will contain items for a light supper, such as sandwich items, fruit, juice, and a dessert. Bread and milk are also provided. Our meals are prepared to meet 2/3 of dietary requirements. Meals are designed to be heart healthy as they are controlled to be lower in sodium and fat. Special diets, such as NCS for diabetics or Mechanical Soft for those who have trouble chewing or swallowing are available.

Nutrition Counseling

A dietician is available to answer questions you may have about your diet. The dietician can help guide you on ways to best plan your Meals on Wheels into your special diet needs. The dietician can be contacted by calling 607-778-2411.

Sponsors

The nutrition program is sponsored by the U.S. Administration on Aging, the NYS Office for Aging and the Wellness in Nutrition Program , Broome County, and participant contributors.

Questions and Concerns

For more information about Meals on Wheels, or for information on becoming a volunteer, please call our office at 778-2411.

Individuals whose income is at or above 185% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines are asked to contribute at an amount that represents the actual costs of the meals. You are asked to contribute at this rate if your monthly household income is more than $1,815 and you live alone; or if you live in a household of two and your monthly income exceeds $2,456.

Inclement Weather Days

In the event of bad weather and road conditions, delivery may be cancelled. Follow these guidelines to determine if meal delivery is cancelled for the day:

In the City of Binghamton...
Radio and television stations will broadcast an announcement stating:
"Meals on Wheels in the City of Binghamton is closed."

 

In Rural Areas...
Whitney Point, Harpursville, Windsor, Conklin, Kirkwood, and Chenango Bridge
Radio and television stations will broadcast school closings.
"When schools in your area are closed, no meals will be delivered."

In the early part of the winter, blizzard boxes are delivered to some houses. Blizzard boxes contain nonperishable canned and packaged foods that you can use when Meals on Wheels staff and volunteers are unable to deliver meals due to inclement weather. Save the meals in the blizzard boxes for use on days when meal delivery is not possible. When you hear that Meals on Wheels (or the schools in your area) is closed, then you should eat some of the emergency meals in the blizzard box.

Things to Remember About Meal Delivery

• We cannot deliver a meal to your home unless someone is there to receive it. Meals cannot be left unattended because of possible food spoilage and/or contamination. No exceptions can be made.
• You are responsible to make your home safe for the volunteer to deliver your meal. This includes, but is not limited to, confining pets. Failure to do this will result in the cancellation of meal service.

Meals on Wheels Gazette