Sarah Faustin
Meal on Wheels is a well-known food delivery service with a target focus on helping the elderly community. Thousands of volunteers in various areas provide individuals with not only a meal, but warm, social interaction as well.
Established in Philadelphia in 1954, Meals on Wheels began with a simple mission to combat hunger and malnutrition among vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly. A priority of the program is to ensure that meals are nutritionally balanced, catering to special dietary needs such as low-sodium, low-fat, and diabetic-friendly options. Once prepared, these meals are distributed to a network of dining centers, where dedicated volunteers deliver them to thousands of older adults.
According to its national website, Meals on Wheels is a service designed to “..serve as a lifeline to those struggling with food insecurity, nutrition challenges, mobility [issues], loneliness, and countless other difficulties of aging.” Other than food, the program offers social support for those suffering from anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, and an overall lower-quality lifestyle, which can all be caused by the simple feeling of loneliness. Volunteers in charge of delivering meals sometimes check in on recipients, providing them with a potential connection or at least a moment of human interaction. This is something that might not seem as important to most individuals, but the Meals on Wheels America website goes in-depth into how their program truly does effectively make a difference: “The research confirms what Meals on Wheels programs have known anecdotally for decades: social connection programs are effective and truly make a difference in the lives of meal recipients. The Meals on Wheels network has been at the forefront of addressing the unique needs of homebound older adults, providing social connection programs that cater to their specific circumstances.” Essentially, the interaction might be short and sweet, but it greatly impacts some people's lives and can make a stranger's day.
There are local chapters of Meals on Wheels all over the country, including Rockland County, According to Meals on Wheels Rockland, 295,458 meals were served in 2023 alone. Additionally, volunteers logged 35,721 hours, and 1,430 seniors were impacted. Volunteer Pelege Faustin, who has been delivering food since 2021, shared his personal experience and perspective on the impact of Meals on Wheels. He started volunteering not too long after the pandemic because he was looking for something to do in his spare time that would better the community. “It’s a small gesture on my part, but it makes all the difference for other people." Faustin explained, “I know where I came from, and I recognize how far I have come; doing this [food delivery] heals a part of me, and it's almost like giving back.”
Meals on Wheels is much more than another food charity program. It is a potential lifeline for elderly individuals facing hunger or depression due to social isolation and many other challenges associated with aging. It's a program that has made and continues to make a positive impact in the lives of seniors all over Rockland and the rest of the country.