Since 1971, Meals on Wheels Erie has been a lifeline for homebound seniors, veterans, and adults with disabilities throughout Erie County. For 55 years, we've delivered far more than nutritious meals and groceries - we've delivered compassion, independence, and the reassurance that someone cares.
As Erie's original Meals on Wheels provider, our dedicated volunteers are the heart of everything we do. Every weekday, they deliver a healthy meal, a friendly smile, and an important wellness check that often provides peace of mind for families and can identify emergencies before they become tragedies.
The need has never been greater.
Nearly one in four Americans is age 60 or older, and that number continues to grow. Among older adults, 29% live with a disability, 24% live alone, and 12% are veterans. Many struggle to afford basic necessities while facing increasing isolation, limited mobility, and barriers to accessing nutritious food. Here in Erie County, more than 110 of our neighbors are currently waiting for Meals on Wheels services because demand continues to outpace available funding.
Meals on Wheels Erie currently operates six essential programs:
Four of these six programs are provided at no cost to eligible seniors, veterans, and adults with disabilities. Thanks to generous donors, grant funding, and community partners, more than half of our recipients receive services free of charge.
This year marks an exciting milestone for our organization. Through an additional kitchen partnership, Meals on Wheels Erie has expanded our meal production capacity—allowing us to begin reducing our growing waitlists and serve even more homebound neighbors. Now, we need the community's support to turn that capacity into meals on doorsteps.
In 2025 alone, Meals on Wheels Erie delivered more than 70,000 freshly prepared meals and completed more than 300 grocery shopping trips for neighbors who could no longer shop independently. Today, we deliver an average of 250 meals every weekday throughout Erie County.
It costs just $2,300 to provide an entire year of nutritious meals for one senior or veteran, that's less than the cost of a single day in the hospital or ten days in a nursing home. Your investment not only provides nourishment, but also helps someone remain safe, healthy, and independent in the comfort of home.
Executive Director, Jennifer Hoffman shares:
"Right now, more than 110 seniors and veterans in our own community are waiting for Meals on Wheels services. That's 110 too many. Every meal we deliver represents nourishment, dignity, and a meaningful human connection. With our expanded kitchen capacity, we're ready to serve more people than ever before—but we can't do it without the support of our community. Every Erie Gives donation helps us reduce our waitlist, expand our reach, and ensure that no neighbor is left hungry or alone."
On August 11, your Erie Gives donation can help us transform readiness into action. Together, we can reduce waitlists, expand services, and bring nutritious meals, compassionate check-ins, and hope to more of our homebound neighbors.
Join us in delivering more than a meal. Help us deliver dignity, independence, and the promise that no one in our community has to face hunger or isolation alone. Help us #EndTheWait.
Organization name
Meals on Wheels Erie
other names
Metro Erie Meals on Wheels, Inc.
Tax id (EIN)
51-0200640
Mission Category
Medically underserved, Human Services, Health and Wellness, Food Security, Disabilities, Basic Needs
Address
4408 Peach Street Suite 102