Meals on Wheels Programs & Services of Rockland, Inc.

Program: Meals on Wheels

Program Description:

Meals and Wheels Programs & Services of Rockland offers a meal delivery service to any Rockland County resident who is a shut-in due to illness, physical handicap or advanced age and who cannot shop or cook for themselves. Meals are prepared and packaged in a central commissary and each meal meets the Recommended Daily Allowance for good nutrition. Menus are professionally designed by a Registered Dietician who is licensed by the American Dietetic Association. Talented chefs along with a dedicated dietary staff prepare high quality, delicious and attractive meals which are heart healthy and strive to be moderate in sodium, sugar and cholesterol. A hot lunch and cold dinner are delivered to the client's home between 11AM and 1PM each weekday, 52 weeks per year including holidays, by a volunteer who also brings a sense of caring and provides a communication link to the community. Special diets are accommodated and Kosher-style meals as well as pre-packaged Kosher hot meals can be provided. Weekend meal service and a lunch only program are also available. Individuals age 60 and older are eligible for meals on a donation only basis funded through the Older Americans Act and the State of New York. There is, however, a waiting list for this program. Eligibility for other programs is determined after a telephone assessment by a professionally trained homebound outreach caseworker who also will visit the client to determine the individual's need for meals. In addition, the homebound outreach caseworker will provide information and referral service as necessary. Referrals are accepted from physicians, relatives, neighbors, clergy or by the client himself/herself. Programs are available with five or seven day a week options. With the exception of state and federally funded programs, the fee is $6.00 per meal. There are different fees for lunch only and Kosher meal programs. A sliding scale is available to qualified recipients. No one will be denied access to meal service because of his/her inability to contribute towards the cost of meals, however, there may be a waiting list for state and federal programs. For those rare occasions during extremely inclement weather when our volunteers are unable to safely deliver meals a program is available to assure that every homebound person has food in their home for this kind of emergency. The Covered Cupboard Program delivers cheerfully covered boxes containing jars of peanut butter, cans of tuna fish and other shelf stable items to homebound clients to have on hand for use if needed. For more information about home delivered services please call (845) 624-6325.

Program Long-Term Success:

Meals on Wheels Programs & Services of Rockland County, Inc. is a private not-for-profit community service agency serving the needs of Rockland County residents since 1974. Meals on Wheels Programs & Services of Rockland, Inc. is a County Contract Agency operating with funding from the federal Older Americans Act, New York State, the Office for Aging, the County of Rockland, United Way, towns and villages, fees for services, grants and private contributions. An independent guide for giving in New York State, published in 2005, states that of the Agency's total expenses, 80.86% was spent on program services, 15.28% was spent on management and general expenses, and 3.86% was spent on fundraising. The Agency relies on individual donations to sustain and augment its programs and services. Meals on Wheels is a member of Leave a Legacy of Rockland County, and is committed to raising awareness of and promoting interest in local charitable giving through a will or lifetime gifts. In 1974, Rochelle Berger, the founder and former Executive Director of the agency recognized the need for a home delivered meal service in Rockland County. Mrs. Berger organized a consortium of volunteers through the National Council of Jewish Women which planned and developed the homebound meal program. By the end of the first year, with a budget of less than $50,000, a determined corps of dedicated and determined volunteers delivered more than 9,800 meals. As the agency grew and expanded its volunteer base, its budget and its staff, it has relocated several times to larger facilities in Rockland. In 1989 Meals on Wheels found its permanent home in an 18,500 square foot facility at 121 West Nyack Road in Nanuet. The facility houses the administrative offices, a central commissary where meals are prepared for distribution, a senior center and an adult day care center. Today, the agency has a full and part time staff of more than 90 employees and an operating budget of over $3.7 million. Since being founded in 1974 Meals on Wheels has delivered more than seven million meals often making the difference between a recipient being able to remain at home, living independently, or being placed in a health care of nursing home. This year volunteers will deliver more than 200,000 meals to homebound Rockland residents who are unable to shop or prepare their own food due to advancing age, illness or physical disability. 1,500 meals are prepared in the central commissary daily to support the programs and contracts of the agency. In 1982, to meet the needs of an aging population, Meals on Wheels began operating six senior centers strategically located throughout the County designed to offer a "home away for home" for hundreds of participants who enjoy the camaraderie of their peers and stimulating activities. As the agency continued to evolve two adult day centers were established to assist the frail and elderly including those diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. In 1993, The Bobbi Lewis Adult Day Center located in Nanuet assists people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related cognitive disorders and, in 1995, The Intergenerational Adult Day Center located in Pomona which serves clients who are physically limited and/or suffer from mild short-term memory loss. The Nanuet facility also houses SeniorNet@Rockland, a computer learning center which provides peer to peer hands-on computer instruction for Rockland residents over the age of 50 affording participants the opportunity to develop computer and Internet skills and keep pace with emerging technology. All classes are taught by trained volunteers. Hundreds of dedicated volunteers support the agency's activities by delivering meals to individuals who are homebound, provide general assistance in the Senior Centers and Adult Daycare Centers and teach, coach and administer the Senior Net@Rockland program. Other volunteers assist with special events, participate in the Music Makers program and help the agency's staff with day to day activities.

Program Short-Term Success:

Program Success Monitored by:

Program Success Examples: