Meals-on-Wheels has been providing healthy home-delivered and café-style meals to Middle Tennessee seniors, age 60 and
over, for more than 30 years. Seniors who are physically able enjoy their meal at congregate sites. Homebound seniors have their meals
delivered to their homes. The popular award-winning senior program offers nutritious meals to those who would otherwise go hungry.
Because food serves as one of the most important elements in the strategy to keep people out of institutions, Meal-on-Wheels is a critical
component in the nation’s health and long-term care system.
The program’s 1,400 Middle Tennessee volunteers deliver meals Monday through Friday. However, the program offers more than just a meal.
Meals-on-Wheels staff provides outreach, nutrition education, supportive services and recreational activities.
Each of the Meals-on-Wheels nutrition sites is permitted and inspected by the Health Department to ensure that all safety and sanitation
standards are being met.
In the past year, more than 326,000 nutritious meals were prepared and delivered to help seniors age 60 and over.
In the past year, more than 326,000 nutritious meals were prepared and delivered to help 4,000 older persons living in 13
Tennessee counties maintain dignity and good health and continue to live in their homes as long as possible.
Individuals age 60 and over are eligible for Meals-on-Wheels and Senior Dining.
Individuals age 60 and over are eligible for Meals-on-Wheels and Senior Dining. If home-delivered services are requested,
the need for the service is verified using state guidelines. Some areas may have waiting lists. Meals are offered based on available funding.
More than 4,000 older persons living in 13 Tennessee counties maintained dignity and good health through Meals-on-Wheels.
The Title III Nutrition Program receives funding from the Older Americans Act through the Area Agency on Aging and
Disability at the Greater Nashville Regional Council. Financial support is also received from the Tennessee Commission on Aging and
Disability, the State of Tennessee, United Way, United States Department of Agriculture, sponsors, and memorials. In addition, meal recipients
are given the opportunity to make financial contributions.
For more than 30 years, Meals-on-Wheels has been providing healthy home-delivered and café-style meals.
“You could never know how much I have appreciated and enjoyed my ‘Meals-on-Wheels.’ It was such a blessing when I was
so helpless.
I looked forward to your helper coming every day, always smiling and wishing me a good day. My family was so glad to know that someone
would be here and check on me since I’m all alone.
May God bless each one of you!”
— Ms. J. in Hendersonville, Tenn.
The program’s 1,400 Middle Tennessee volunteers deliver one meal Monday through Friday.
Meals-on-Wheels originated in Great Britain during the the Blitz in World War II. The name “Meals-on-Wheels” was derived
from the Women’s Voluntary Service for Civil Defence and their activity of bringing meals to servicemen. The concept of Meals-on-Wheels
evolved into today’s modern program of delivering to the homebound elderly.
