Grant Impact Report Archive
December 12, 2024
Meals on Wheels People
Ms. Bee Davis
Meals on Wheels People's mission is to enrich older adults' lives and assist them in maintaining independence by providing nutritious food, human connections, and social support. What began in 1970 with just 14 meals dished onto paper plates has grown into a program serving more than 1,400,000 meals annually across three counties: Multnomah, Washington (Oregon), and Clark (Washington). In addition to home-delivered meals and lunches served at multiple congregate meal sites, we use our expertise and capacity to serve other nutritionally at-risk populations. We provide medically tailored meals to support medically vulnerable individuals of all ages, and our Meals 4 Kids program supports eligible families with children.
Meals on Wheels People's innovative Meals 4 Kids program was developed in July 2014 to address food insecurity among marginalized, low-income BIPOC families experiencing barriers to accessing nutritious food. Modeled after our successful, traditional older adults home delivery program, Meals 4 Kids prioritizes children aged 0-18 and their caregivers from low-income families of color by directly delivering ethnically diverse, nutritious meals and pantry staples to families' doorsteps in Portland. The families served all reported experiencing barriers to accessing nutritious food, such as lack of transportation, language barriers, and chronic illness of the caregiver or child.
Our Meals 4 Kids program moved to the Meals on Wheels People Eastside Resource Center this year, allowing us to increase capacity and improve efficiency for our staff and volunteers. In our meal deliveries to all our participating families, we provided SNAP materials, nutrition relief and resource materials, and other resource support materials. During Fiscal Year 2024, between 7/1/2023 and 6/30/2024, we served 329,248 culturally appropriate, nutritious meals, including fresh fruit, vegetables milk, whole grains, and protein, to 1039 children and 783 caregivers in Portland. In our latest client satisfaction report, 94% of Meals 4 Kids program participants stated that, overall, they were very satisfied with the program.
For Maria, a mother of three, Meals 4 Kids (M4K) has been a beacon of hope. Every week, she receives a grocery box filled with fresh ingredients, allowing her to cook nutritious meals like her family’s favorite, pasta con pollo. “It’s made a huge difference,” Maria shares through a translator.
The program not only helps Maria stretch her grocery budget but also encourages healthy eating habits for her children, introducing more fresh produce and even fish into their diets. “We’d definitely be struggling without the program,” she adds.
Maria’s story reflects the heart of M4K, which serves over 400 families, ensuring access to nutritious food that meets cultural preferences. As M4K celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, families like Maria’s remind us of the vital role this program plays in fostering health, stability, and connection.
yes, of course
December 12, 2024
Meals on Wheels People
Ms. Bee Davis
Meals on Wheels People's mission is to enrich older adults' lives and assist them in maintaining independence by providing nutritious food, human connections, and social support. What began in 1970 with just 14 meals dished onto paper plates has grown into a program serving more than 1,400,000 meals annually across three counties: Multnomah, Washington (Oregon), and Clark (Washington). In addition to home-delivered meals and lunches served at multiple congregate meal sites, we use our expertise and capacity to serve other nutritionally at-risk populations. We provide medically tailored meals to support medically vulnerable individuals of all ages, and our Meals 4 Kids program supports eligible families with children.
Meals on Wheels People's innovative Meals 4 Kids program was developed in July 2014 to address food insecurity among marginalized, low-income BIPOC families experiencing barriers to accessing nutritious food. Modeled after our successful, traditional older adults home delivery program, Meals 4 Kids prioritizes children aged 0-18 and their caregivers from low-income families of color by directly delivering ethnically diverse, nutritious meals and pantry staples to families' doorsteps in Portland. The families served all reported experiencing barriers to accessing nutritious food, such as lack of transportation, language barriers, and chronic illness of the caregiver or child.
Our Meals 4 Kids program moved to the Meals on Wheels People Eastside Resource Center this year, allowing us to increase capacity and improve efficiency for our staff and volunteers. In our meal deliveries to all our participating families, we provided SNAP materials, nutrition relief and resource materials, and other resource support materials. During Fiscal Year 2024, between 7/1/2023 and 6/30/2024, we served 329,248 culturally appropriate, nutritious meals, including fresh fruit, vegetables milk, whole grains, and protein, to 1039 children and 783 caregivers in Portland. In our latest client satisfaction report, 94% of Meals 4 Kids program participants stated that, overall, they were very satisfied with the program.
For Maria, a mother of three, Meals 4 Kids (M4K) has been a beacon of hope. Every week, she receives a grocery box filled with fresh ingredients, allowing her to cook nutritious meals like her family’s favorite, pasta con pollo. “It’s made a huge difference,” Maria shares through a translator.
The program not only helps Maria stretch her grocery budget but also encourages healthy eating habits for her children, introducing more fresh produce and even fish into their diets. “We’d definitely be struggling without the program,” she adds.
Maria’s story reflects the heart of M4K, which serves over 400 families, ensuring access to nutritious food that meets cultural preferences. As M4K celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, families like Maria’s remind us of the vital role this program plays in fostering health, stability, and connection.
yes, of course