07/13/2026
Meals On Wheels Needs Help!
Meals on Wheels needs help! Since the pandemic, the people we serve are more isolated and have much greater needs. Donations have been down and everyone knows that prices continue to rise. Anyone who has been to the grocery store knows that food cost has soared!!! During the same time-period, our Government grants for Meals on Wheels were down. Our last two fiscal years ended with significant deficits. During our last fiscal year, the government grants have been three to four months behind on reimbursements for meals we already provided. Food cost is our biggest expense. We are now using reserve funds to pay food bills. In the Current year (started June 1, 2026) our food cost went up 68 cents per meal. This is the largest food cost increase in the history of the agency. Obviously, we need to raise more money and become less dependent on Federal and State Government Grants. In almost 40 years of non-profit administrative experience, I don’t recall more difficult times.
“Georgia ranks 5th nationally for senior hunger.”** “Hunger and social isolation not only jeopardize the health and well-being of older adults; they also place a significant strain on our Country’s healthcare system and economy.” * Older adult falls account for $50 billion in medical costs. Meals on Wheels decreases the rate of falls. Daily home delivered meals help keep 8 out of 10 seniors who have previously fallen from falling again. Meals on Wheels can serve a senior for an entire year for the same cost as just one day in a hospital or 10 days in a nursing home.” *
Senior hunger is a community issue and we feel like there is a community solution. The need is great but together we can deliver. We are doing our best to serve seniors who are in serious need. Let’s get together as a community and provide that support! We need more donations to be less dependent on Government funds!
We want you to know that our program is very efficient. Most of our meals are delivered by volunteers. Since the pandemic, "volunteers drivers are harder to recruit and retain."* Meals on Wheels is much more than just a meal; we provide well checks and human contact. In many cases, our volunteer may be the only person the meal recipient sees over the course of several days. Our Volunteers serve as a lifeline for seniors in need. We also ask that you consider delivering meals. It takes about an hour and a half to deliver a route. We deliver the noon meal Mon-Fri.
Please show your love and compassion by making a tax-deductible donation! You can mail a check to P. O. Box 118, Warner Robins Ga, 31099 or visit our website at www.hocomow.org and donate using your credit card. One hundred percent of your contribution stays in Houston County. We would also love to have you come and volunteer. If you are interested, call us at 478-328-6070. Please share this letter with anyone else you know who might want to support Meals on Wheels!
Thank You!
Kenny Weaver
Executive Director
* Meals on Wheels America
** Retirement Living, United States Census Bureau. Evaluated Dec. 31, 2023
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Houston County Council on Aging Meals on Wheels
