Our History

In 1973, the Public Health Nurses for the Marion City Health Department received many referrals from agencies and individuals concerning the condition of elderly people living alone. They found these people had many needs but the greatest need was good, nutritious food and for someone who cared. They realized the community had a need to be filled.

The two local hospitals at the time, were consulted and agreed that they would each provide meals for ten subscribers. Volunteers were recruited to deliver the meals and serve as day chairmen at the hospitals. Donations were received from church groups, service and social clubs, labor and industrial organizations, and other civic-minded individuals to support these first efforts.

On October 29, 1973, the first meals were delivered to eight subscribers from the kitchens of the two hospitals. Meals were delivered Monday through Friday except on legal holidays. As this program continued to grow, it became evident that a place to call "home" was needed. The First United Church of Christ on S. Prospect Street was Mobile Meals' home until October of 2017. Today, Mobile Meals operates from the Ohio Heartland Community Action Center building located at 1183 Bellefontaine Avenue in Marion, Ohio.