Homebound Seniors Face Meal Crisis As Rocketing Food Costs Threaten Meals On Wheels West

May 31, 2012 - PRLog -- The meal supplier to Meals On Wheels West and other small local Meals On Wheels programs has announced an astounding 63% increase in the cost of the meals and will no longer prepare 2 meals per day per client.  The new pricing structure goes into effect July 1st leaving little time to find alternatives or to raise additional funding.

Meals On Wheels West’s mission is to deliver 2 meals per day to keep homebound clients healthy and properly nourished.  Less food at a higher cost threatens the agency’s ability to fulfill its missions.  Currently nearly 60% of the clients cannot afford the daily fee of $6.00.

MOWW is using this opportunity to find a new food provider who will have a new menu offering ethnic flavors, more variety, and updated choices to meet the needs of the boomer generation. Meals On Wheels West intends to be prepared for the “Gray Tsunami”.  According to the Huffington Post on May 22, 2012, “every single day since January 1, 2011, and for the next 18 years, we (the United States) will see 10,000 boomers reaching the age of 65.”  

Meals On Wheels West is a lean agency which relies upon a great deal of volunteer energy and is funded primarily by donations from individuals.  An increase in food costs at this level will jeopardize the sustainability of a service that has cared for community members since 1974.  Meals On Wheels programs allow seniors to age healthy in their homes, avoiding expensive long term care facilities and reducing emergency hospital visits.  


For more information or to interview RoseMary Regalbuto, President/CEO
call 310-394-5133 ext. 4
RoseMary@MealsOnWheelsWest.org

Visit the website at www.MealsOnWheelsWest.org