La Porte County Meals On Wheels, Inc.
MealCall.org went live in November of 2003, and is founded by volunteers to do several things:
Help people find local senior meal programs
Help local meal programs recruit volunteers
Help businesses develop corporate sponsorship and volunteer programs for senior meal programs.
In August of 2004, MealCall added Meals on Wheels Canada to our services and will expand further in the coming year. As MealCall grows, we will be adding more functions to help Senior Meal programs increase their efficiencies and services, and financially participate with local programs.
MealCall is organized as a group of volunteers who specialize in certain areas such as publication, technology, and marketing. By leveraging these areas for Senior Meal programs nationwide, MealCall helps to fill the awareness gap and therefore reduce the amount of work that they must do to get the word out. MealCall helps them do what they do best.
Local Meals-On-Wheels and other non-profit meal organizations are set up all over the world, and they help fill the need that many frail and recovering seniors have by providing nutritious meals. Most are in need of volunteers and funding to help provide meals to seniors.
Meals on Wheels programs and other Senior Meal organizations are looking for help from people whose duty of service to seniors, and a desire to give back to their community give them the inspiration to share some of their time with those that need it most.
Description:
Donations - MealCall does not accept private donations. We prefer that you make this through your local organization who can use it better than we can. If you do not have a local organization to donate to or would like us to make a recommendation, please contact us and we will put you in contact with an organization that is in need.
Membership - MealCall is not a membership organization. We do not charge local Meals-On-Wheels or other meal locations to join our list or for our services. Nor do we charge the public for using the MealCall.org site. MealCall.org is privately supported through volunteer efforts, the efforts of several small businesses that lend their time, expertise, and resources as a matter of public good will, and through sponsorships of this website.
Sponsorships - MealCall does not specifically recommend the services or products of any given sponsor. We will attempt to only use sponsors whose products and services are of value to seniors or family caregivers, and where there is no question of the integrity of the organization's business practices and pricing. However, as with doing business with any merchant, you should always do your own checking and make your own determinations.
History:
What is a senior meal program?
Delivery meal programs are generally designed to help those that are homebound, ill, and frail to periodically get a nutritious meal that is ready or near ready to eat.
Congregate meal programs are also designed to assist seniors to obtain a nutritious meal, but they are not reserved for those who have mobility or health problems. Such programs are generally available to any senior who meets the criteria (often just a minimum age), as long as there are available resources. Available resources will vary from community to community and organization to organization.
Congregate meal programs have many benefits other than nutrition. These include getting out, socializing, and even having participants volunteer their own time. Congregate meal programs are a great way to combat loneliness and make new friends.
Programs vary from location to location, even within the same program. It is best to contact a local program to see what services are offered.
There are a wide variety of programs available, and this information is not in any way meant to be reflective of any given program. Each program will operate differently and have different operational facts and criteria. If you have questions about your local program, you should contact them directly.
What kind of programs are there?
Meal programs generally fall into one of two categories, Congregate and Delivered. Many communities offer both.
Congregate meals are defined as meals that are served to many seniors at a remote location (like at a senior center or church), and offer the chance to socialize and sometimes participate in additional activities. These activities vary from location to location. Where offered, congregate programs are often easier to get into because they require fewer staff and resources.
Delivered meals are brought to the person's home and are generally reserved for those that have a hard time leaving their home due to injury, illness, or frailty. Delivered programs may be called Meals-on-Wheels or any other name but they all serve the same purpose.
What is Meal-On-Wheels?
Meals on Wheels is more of a descriptive term than a name, though many programs call themselves Meals-On-Wheels for the sake of understanding and recognition. Programs using the name Meals-On-Wheels almost always deliver meals to the home, though some Meals-On-Wheels programs also have a congregate meal service arm as well.
What are the qualifications?
This varies from community to community and program to program. Many programs are at capacity and maintain a waiting list so it is best to inquire sooner than later. Many programs are limited in their ability to provide services, so those that require services the most will be taken first. This is especially true of meal delivery programs.
If you are only temporarily disabled such as after an accident, injury, or surgery, there may be a limited amount of time that you can be on the program. Once recovered and able to shop and cook for yourself again, your services would probably be terminated to make room for someone else.
Meal delivery programs are for those that have some kind of need. They are not designed to take the place of every meal, offered only for the convenience of the client or their families, and availability depends upon the financial and volunteer resources of the local agency. Only those with a need will be considered and this need may have to be verified.
Congregate programs are not as restrictive and often the only criteria are participant age and the availability of resources.
Since program requirements vary, it is best to contact your local program to determine if you meet their requirements and what limitations may apply.
Are there costs involved?
The short answer is usually YES, often MAYBE, and sometimes NO. When money is involved, it is generally a significantly reduced amount and affordable by most people.
Different programs have different rules and while there is a cost, it is often a "suggested donation". Some programs base these on income level or some other criteria. Hardship cases sometimes get preferential prices or no-cost meals.
An average cost or suggested donation would be somewhere between $2-4 per meal but again, this varies. To determine what costs may apply, you should contact your local program office.
How does a person start getting meals?
The first step is obviously to contact local offices near you to find out which services are right for you, which programs are available, and which programs you may qualify for. MealCall will not do this for you. Search this index for the program nearest you.
To make sure that program funds are used properly in meal delivery programs, you may get a call or visit from a social worker asking for relevant information. You may also be required to get a letter from your doctor or a social worker, or be required to apply in writing. Again, this depends on the requirements of your local program and these statements may or may not apply.
Participation in congregate programs is different and varies. Some take walk-ins, others require that you sign up in advance. If they are at maximum capacity, you may have to wait. They may be limited by staff, financial resources, or available seating.
To find out what the specific qualifications are for any program, you should contact the program directory via phone or email. Again, start this process early as there are often waiting lists that can last for weeks or months.
Contact person: Thalia Baker, Executive Director, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (219) 872-9118
Address:
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1414 Buffalo StreetMichigan City, IN 46360(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.mealcall.org
| Last updated on March 2, 2009 |
