2801 S. Financial Court • Sanford, Florida 32773
Phone: (407) 333-8877 • Fax: (407) 829-2468
UpComing Events
2ND ANNUAL GALA
Background
The mission of Meals on Wheels, Etc. is to enhance the quality of life for young and old by providing appetizing and nutritious meals as well as support services for seniors which enable them to maintain their independence and dignity. Our organization began with a small homedelivered meal program in 1973. Since that time, the elder population of Seminole has dramatically increased each year and the agency has responded with an umbrella of services to support this growth. Meals on Wheels, Etc. has 50 employees and over 700 volunteers, plus a volunteer Board of Directors that meets bi-monthly. The core services we provide to seniors include: Home-Delivered Meals, Congregate Meals, Case Management, Nutrition Education, Transportation, Homemaking Chores, Home and Safety Repairs, and Home Weatherization Services.
In 2000, the agency began operating its own kitchen to improve the quality and taste appeal of senior meals. The kitchen was also established as a business model to raise revenues to offset governmental funding limitations. In the past three years we have expanded the kitchen operation to include food service to public and private childcares, adult daycares, and most recently, a "fine dining" catering service was established. Beginning in 2006, the agency's production kitchen became the disaster relief meal provider for Seminole County Public Safety workers.
Best Buy Team works with Meals on Wheels, Etc. staff to provide meals for
hungry seniors.
In 2007, the agency received a bid award for the Weatherization Program from the Department of Community Affairs, State of Florida. This program is designed to assist in the reduction of energy bills for low-income and very low-income county residents. New programs that have been added through the years increase disadvantaged seniors' ability to remain independent, but the county aging population is growing at a very rapid rate. There are currently 300 elderly residents waiting for home-delivered meals alone with 13 at high risk for malnutrition and premature nursing home placement (four years ago there was an average of 25 on the waiting list). Although high-risk seniors are always served first, as soon as they are placed on service, more are added to the waiting list. The agency is proactively trying to assist every county senior who is at-risk for premature nursing home placement.