Meals on Wheels Erie, founded in 1971 as Erie’s original Meals on Wheels organization, delivers nutritious meals and groceries, companionship, and a watchful eye on the safety of the seniors and disabled members of our community. For 52 years, we have continuously served the Erie Area by coordinating a legion of caring volunteers.

Hunger, or inadequate access to nutritious food, is a prevalent issue among seniors and homebound individuals. It can contribute to increased stress and anxiety, as well as feelings of helplessness and frustration. Hunger can further intensify feelings of loneliness and isolation. Our clients depend on our meals to help them as they age in place; if they are impeded by a disability; or if they are recuperating from surgery or illness. Daily visits from our volunteers assist them with maintaining their independence by enabling them to live where they feel most comfortable – at home. Not only are we a friendly face, but a compassionate check-in that can alert family or emergency contacts of urgent needs or changes.

Meals on Wheels Erie has 5 programs that provide for Erie County residents: the age 60+ private pay meal program, the under age 60 persons with disabilities program, the waiver meal program with UPMC Community Health Choices, the cost-free Veterans In Need program, and the grocery shopping & delivery program. Meals are freshly made, healthy, ready-to-heat, and delicious. Last year we delivered over 51,000 meals directly to the homes of older adults and persons under the age of 60 with disabilities – an average of 205 meals daily. This is an increase of over 11,000 meals in one year, further underscoring the need for nutrition services in our community. Our grocery shoppers completed over 1000 grocery shopping trips.

Executive Director Jennifer Hoffman shared, “Fighting hunger and delivering healthy food to the doorsteps of our homebound neighbors is our primary mission, but Meals on Wheels Erie delivers so much more than a meal or a bag of groceries. Our volunteers provide the social connection that many of our homebound clients crave and our service can also play a major role in helping them stay independent in their homes. Without the 100+ dedicated volunteers that drive to deliver meals and groceries, we couldn’t do all that we do. Thanks to our donors, we are able to continue providing this vital social service for Erie County.”