Meals on Wheels operates in Rockwall County with a diversity of programs and services to fulfill the needs of our community. We are committed to supporting and serving our senior residents to live healthier and more nourished lives.
Mission
Our mission is to keep the elderly and disabled citizens of Rockwall County living in their homes as long as safely possible by providing nutritious meals, supportive services, and daily human contact.
History
Meals on Wheels Senior Services began as a grass-roots movement over 40 years ago with local members of the community looking out for their elderly neighbors. Concerned for the health and well-being of seniors who were unable to shop for or prepare meals, this group began preparing meals in neighborhood kitchens and delivering them to seniors throughout Rockwall County. These volunteer efforts took hold and the Rockwall County Committee on Aging was founded in 1978. As the program grew, it became apparent that isolated homebound seniors needed more than a meal. To help improve their quality of life, full-time employees were hired. In 1999, Meals On Wheels of Rockwall County opened its own industrial kitchen in Rockwall ISD’s Quest academy kitchen. This facility helped to improve the efficiency of production and delivery and provide meals for the home-delivered meal program in the area. Today, more than 240 homebound seniors receive meals every day. Our congregate sites serve over 1,600 meals each month. Furthermore, collaboration with several local agencies allows us to provide our senior clients with access to the services they need to remain healthy and independent. Our growth has been tremendous but the need for support continues to outpace the public funding available to provide these services. Meals on Wheels Senior Services assist the elderly to remain independent in their own homes by providing Meals On Wheels, emergency food boxes, referrals, benefits counseling, and advocacy ombudsman services. Meals on Wheels provides hot, nutritious, noontime meals and personal contact to homebound elderly each weekday. The program provides over 65,000 meals each year to seniors and people with disabilities living in Rockwall County. Volunteer drivers deliver the food to clients’ homes and to congregate sites. This service is provided on the basis of need, regardless of income.
