Meals On Wheels

Delivering meals to help enable independent living in Lexington, Kentucky. Meals on Wheels is a unique humanitarian program inspired by the mission to solve the problems of those unable to live at home without help.

Meals on Wheels of Lexington, Inc.
A Non-Profit Organization Established in October 1969.

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Lexington’s Meals-on-Wheels Program

Meals on Wheels is a unique humanitarian program inspired by the mission to solve the problems of those unable to live at home without help. There are no age or income restrictions. The only qualification for participation in the program is the inability to shop, cook and prepare your own meals.

Community volunteers are the backbone of the program. They pack and deliver the meals. Their friendly visits furnish daily outside contact. Meals are prepared and delivered from two sponsoring churches: Trinity Baptist and Second Presbyterian. Volunteers from many other churches and groups assist with meal delivery including Christ the King, Kiwanis, St. Raphael, Christ Church Cathedral, Good Shepherd, Maxwell Street Presbyterian, Faith Fellowship, Calvary Baptist, and Meadowthorpe Presbyterian.

Who is Eligible?

Inability to prepare or provide your own meals is the only qualification for participation in the program. Upon request for Meals on Wheels, we will determine with you your eligibility for the program.

Procedures

Clients are asked to be available to receive their meals. If they must be away when delivery is made, but still want their meals, they need to leave a cooler with a lid at the door. The cooler must have ice...

Volunteers

Community volunteers are the backbone of the program. They pack and deliver the meals. Our deliverers provide more than just a meal; they serve as a friend to our clients. Meals are prepared...

Who is Eligible?

Inability to prepare or provide your own meals is the only qualification for participation in the program. Upon request for Meals on Wheels, we will determine with you your eligibility for the program.

Procedures

Clients are asked to be available to receive their meals. If they must be away when delivery is made, but still want their meals, they need to leave a cooler with a lid at the door. The cooler must have ice...

Volunteers

Community volunteers are the backbone of the program. They pack and deliver the meals. Our deliverers provide more than just a meal; they serve as a friend to our clients. Meals are prepared...

History

The Lexington Meals on Wheels project started on October 27th, 1969 in Barbara Robertson’s kitchen serving five clients. Barbara was the wife of Second Presbyterian’s pastor at the time and served with Meals on Wheels in their Flagship unit in Baltimore. Shortly afterward, the renovation of the kitchen at Second was completed, and meals have been prepared and packed there ever since, except the year Second’s new kitchen was being constructed and Temple Adath Israel hosted the service. Rotating menus with balanced nutritional meals were planned and monitored by Marion Webster from Second Presbyterian and Helen Ward from Trinity Hill United Methodist.

Cancellations

If a client wishes to cancel for a day, a temporary period, or permanently, they should call the central office at (859) 276-5391 at least 24 hours before the cancelled meal(s). Cancellations should not be given to the drivers. Clients will be charged any time a meal is delivered to their home. When ready to resume receiving meals, clients should call the office to let us know what date to re-start delivering meals.

Payment

Clients may choose to pay by either supplying their drivers with their checks made out to Meals on Wheels or mail them to the church that prepares the meals. They can pay weekly or monthly. If the check is written by someone other than the client, the client’s name should be on the check so payment can be credited to the right account. We cannot give refunds if one cancels before the first week is complete.

Emergency Food Supply

Sudden illness, bad weather and unexpected transportation problems can potentially restrict a client’s ability to shop for food. If one lives alone, there may not be anyone available to help with shopping during these times. Clients should keep an emergency food shelf stocked with non-perishable items. This will prevent them from having to go hungry.

It is a good idea to have a supply of food and something to drink for at least three days. Here is a suggested list for clients to buy and store in case we cannot deliver the meals.

  • Breakfast cereal – instant oatmeal
  • Low-fat granola or breakfast bars
  • Canned or instant soup mix
  • Small cans salmon, chicken, tuna, ham
  • Dried fruit: raisins, apricots, prunes, etc.
  • Single serving applesauce, pudding, jello
  • Saltine crackers
  • Peanut butter, small jar jelly
  • Small cans vegetables and fruits
  • Small box cookies
  • TV dinners (freezer)
  • Loaf bread (freezer)
  • Bottled water
  • Single service canned fruit juice
  • Instant coffee, tea, cocoa mix
  • Instant breakfast drink
  • Bottled or canned sodas
  • Evaporated skim milk
  • Box non-fat dry powder milk

Diabetics need to have sugar-free items on hand. Any special diet needs should be considered when stocking emergency shelves.