The United States Government, through the Administration on Aging, has established five different Elderly Nutrition Programs to help seniors get free or reduced-cost meals. They include:
- Meals on Wheels
- Medicaid Food Programs
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps)
- Seniors’ Farmers’ Market Food Program
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program
Meals on Wheels
Following are the answers to several frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you find out if you have Meals on Wheels available and if you qualify.
What is the Meals on Wheels program?
Seniors can get free or reduced-price meals from Meals on Wheels. The cost is based on need. In a typical year, Meals on Wheels will deliver over 220 million meals to 2.4 million seniors every year. The program is huge! It is a service provided by thousands of volunteer groups and non-profits around the county. The program was created to help the elderly and seniors no matter what their income level is. Priority is given to the homebound. The homebound will typically be seniors who are unable to get food on their own. Following is a profile of participants:
How does the Meals on Wheels program work?
All of the food provided by Meals on Wheels is fresh, locally prepared, and nutritionally balanced. Meals are delivered to the door by one of hundreds of volunteers.
What are the requirements to participated in Meals on Wheels?
The requirements to participate in Meals on Wheels vary from state to state, county to county, and program to program. The bottom line is that it is a very, very locally administered program.
Typically, most Meals on Wheels programs will by somewhat like the following:
- You must be homebound.
- You must not be able to take care of yourself, which usually means the individual applying for Meals on Wheels needs to be at least 60 years of age or older, disabled, or in serious medical condition. Most agencies will also provide free meals to the spouse or partner of a person at least 60 years of age.
- You must be unable to attend a local Senior Center or food pantry because of emotional or physical disabilities.
- You must be elderly, physically or emotionally unable to obtain food, disabled, or otherwise can’t prepare full meals on your own.
- You must lack transportation to a local grocery store.
What are the benefits of using Meals on Wheels if you qualify?
According to the Meals on Wheels website, the benefits and advantages of participating in the Meals on Wheel programs are as follows:
| You get a nutritious meal. | Adequate nutrition is necessary for health, functionality, and the ability to remain independent. Healthy eating can increase mental acuity, resistance to illness and disease, energy levels, immune system strength, recuperation speed, and the ability to manage chronic health problems. Meals on Wheels ensures that seniors have access to adequate nutrition even when family support, mobility and resources are lacking. |
| You get a friendly visit. | For many, the trusted Meals on Wheels volunteer or staff member who shows up every day with a meal and a smile is the only person they see or speak with all day. This unique delivery is the reason to get up in the morning, something to look forward to, and a reminder to take good care of themselves. Seniors able to travel to congregate meal sites also receive valuable social interaction and companionship. We can all attest that a meal can be more than the food on the plate, but also the company across the table. |
| You get a safety check. | Along with the inevitable impacts of aging come the increased risks of medical emergencies, falls, and other accidents. The safety check that accompanies each meal delivery ensures that, in the case of an emergency or problem, medics will be called, families will be notified, and our seniors will not be forgotten |
How much does Meals on Wheels charge for its meals?
Meals on Wheels provides excellent value for what you receive – a freshly prepared, ready-to-eat meal delivered right to your door. While Meals on Wheels asks for a modest contribution toward your meals, the price is based on need. Depending on individual circumstances, meals may be provided along a sliding fee scale, from no cost to full price. While no senior will be denied a meal because of an inability to pay, he/she may be asked to contribute voluntarily toward the cost of a meal. However, it is essential to note that in many areas of the country, the need for meals far exceeds the resources available to provide them, leading to waitlists and/or being turned away.
How do I sign up for meals on wheels?
Can I be a Meals on Wheels volunteer?
If you are still able, you can be a Meals on Wheels Volunteer. Virtually every local Meals on Wheels organization continually looks for volunteers either as a driver or in the kitchen. You can read the Meals on Wheels Volunteer Handbook here if you would like to check it out.
Medicaid Food Programs
As you know, Medicaid is a health care assistance program run by each state. Again, like most programs to help seniors find free or reduced-price meals, requirements vary by state as a result. While Medicare deals primarily with health issues, if you qualify for Medicare, you will likely be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in your state. The program is more commonly known as Food Stamps. My experience has been that one program leads to another, so ask questions and keep asking questions until you get the answer you need. More about Food Stamps below.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps)
The problem with Food Stamps is that even though many seniors qualify for food stamps, we are the least likely demographic to use this benefit!. Why? Only the individual senior knows why but my guess lies in two areas. Many seniors are unaware of the benefit at all or are too prideful to use it. Sad in both cases. The monthly benefit is based on income and is likely to vary from month to month based on your county of residence.
Applications for Food Stamps are handled by where you reside and, unfortunately, vary from county to county!
Seniors’ Farmers’ Market Food Program
The website Senior-Meals.org explains that the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) was established to provide grants to states to allow them to direct the money where it is most needed in each community. The money from the fund is used to help seniors in need to have access to the healthiest food options available to them. Coupons or vouchers are given to the seniors for them to exchange for food at any participating local farmers’ market, farm stands or directly from a participating farmer. The coupons can be used to purchase fresh produce, herbs, and honey at these locations.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program
Senior-Meals.org also explains that The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a USDA program specifically for low-income seniors. It is intended to prevent seniors from having to choose between food and their other basic needs. Foods are grown and produced in the United States and it is one of the most efficient uses of federal dollars to provide food.
This program does not provide a complete diet, but it does focus on the nutrients that the elderly often lack – protein, calcium, magnesium and fiber. Instead of prepared meals, commodities are provided such as peanut butter, milk, dry beans and tuna. CSFP is federally run and provides money and food to states. Each state then store and transport the food to local organizations which distribute it. The program is not yet available in every state.
Senior Centers
Where do senior centers fit in this quest for free or low-cost meals?
What role does my local senior center play in your quest for meal assistance? In many areas, the local senior center will administer many of the programs outlined above. For many seniors, a trip to the local senior center for a breakfast or noon meal is the highlight of the day. During the Covid-19 pandemic, many senior centers are closed to visits but continue to serve seniors with drive-by meals. My wife and I have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the drive-by meals we have received at our local senior center. We had never availed ourselves of the service prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
What are the biggest benefits of senior center meals?
Senior centers serve the senior community in many, many ways. Either independently or through one of the programs above, they provide:
- Nutritionally balanced meals
- Insight into portion control
- Socialization (even if you are just picking up your meal)
Do I have to qualify?
The requirement to participate in a meal program at your senior center will be similar to the requirements outlined above. At my senior center, there is no set fee but patrons are asked to contribute was they can. They also sell a reduced price punch card that helps me keep track of my donation.
Researching other senior centers across the country, I have found suggested contributions anywhere from $2 to $5 per meal My senior center sells a punch card.
How do I find a senior center near me?
There are more than 11,000 senior centers nationwide, but finding one can be a bit tricky. I’ve not been able to find a national directory of centers. If you have access to a computer, just type in “senior center near me” in your favorite browser.
Food pantries
What is a food pantry?
A food pantry distributes food to those in need. A community food pantry’s mission is to directly serve local residents who suffer from hunger and food insecurity within a specified area. They can be mobile or have a permanent location. They are stocked from Food Banks. Food banks nationally benefit from annual food drives contact by post office workers, the Boy Scouts, and others.
How can I find a food pantry near me?
The Ample Harvest organization maintains a database of food pantries. Click here and enter your zip code to find out where you can find a food pantry close to you.
Can churches help me find free or low-cost meals?
Many church have programs to make food available to the needy. Notables are the Catholic Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Virtually all of them are administered locally. Talk to your own minister for guidance and assistance.
What about fast-food restaurants?
Although not generally known for nutritious meals, most have discounts for seniors but you have to ask. McDonald’s, Arby’s, Burger King, Culvers, Sonic, Wendy’s, and many others have senior discount programs.
What about meal delivery services?
Home meal delivery services are certainly an option for homebound seniors. However, they are not free or even low cost. Consequently, they are not part of this post. We will research and review them in the future if our readers request it of us.
Conclusion
The recurring theme in the above report is this: You have to ask. There are programs available to help. Don’t get discouraged in your search. Whether it is in person, on the phone, or online, the message is the same. Ask and keep asking! If you need to, ask someone to help.
Additional Resources
Senior Citizen Today welcomes your questions and comments. Just leave them below. If you’ve enjoyed this article, please share it with your friends with the buttons below. Thanks a million. ~Senior Citizen Today