The Meals on Wheels People was founded in 1969 by three caring women, Jean Wade, Martha Shull and Cay Kreiger, who saw a need in the community that was not being met. They gathered in the basement of the Lincoln Street Methodist Church in February 1970 to serve a hot lunch to about a dozen seniors and then delivered 14 Meals on Wheels on paper plates wrapped in newspaper.
How We've Grown
Today the Meals on Wheels People produces 5,000 hot, nutritious meals five days each week in a 14,000-square-foot commercial kitchen located in the heart of Multnomah Village. Meals are then delivered to 35 senior centers throughout Multnomah, Washington and Clark counties where they are served at noon to seniors in center dining rooms or sent out as Meals on Wheels to frail, homebound elderly.
Volunteers Help Make It Happen
Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Meals on Wheels People and we depend on more than 500 people every day to help prepare and deliver meals at the centers and to deliver Meals on Wheels. The volunteer with the friendly smile and hot meal is often the only person some of our homebound seniors will see on an average day. Find out more about volunteer opportunities.
Making Meals Available
The Meals on Wheels People meals are available to anyone over the age of 60. Payment is on a donation basis. Weekend and Holiday meals are provided to those who have no other source of food or support.
