Meals on Wheels of Norman

Meals on Wheels of Norman, Inc. founded in 1972, is a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) non-profit agency. The mission of Meals on Wheels is to provide nutritious noon-time meals to ill, disabled, and senior members of Norman. Meals on Wheels has maintained the same basic philosophy to improve nutrition by providing meal service to the ill, disabled, and senior residents within the Norman city limits. To improve the mental health of the isolated recipients by providing visitation; and to improve the well-being of senior citizens by coordinating with existing services in our community. Clients must live within the Norman City limits and be ill, disabled, or senior. The price of each meal is based on a sliding scale ranging from $0.75 - $5.75 and is dependent on the client's income. A typical Meals on Wheels client is an elderly widow living on a low - fixed income. Today only eight percent of the individuals served by Meals on Wheels qualify to pay full price. More than 50% of all clients qualify to pay the lowest price per meal or nothing at all. Those unable to afford even the lowest meal price receive meals through scholarships provided by grants and individual sponsorship. The clients range in age from 18 years to 100+ years. Meals on Wheels benefits greatly through a community partnership with Norman Regional Health System. Not only does the hospital prepare the noon-time meals delivered by Meals on Wheels, but provides a $65,000 annual subsidy of reduced meal cost, support and in-kind services. The food service department offers a tremendous benefit to Meals on Wheels and its' clients. Licensed dieticians determine the necessary diets of the clients that have special dietary needs. Specialized diets such as diabetic, renal, healthy heart, pureed, and meals that are sensitive to certain food allergies are prepared with care. Additional care is taken by the kitchen staff to cut the meat for clients without full use of their hands. All specialized diets are confirmed by the client's physician to ensure that the appropriate needs are being met. In order to serve the community, Meals on Wheels relies on a base of over 150 volunteer drivers to deliver approximately 300 meals each weekday. There are 20 different routes that are delivered daily between 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Volunteers deliver hot noon-time meals as well as, shelf-stable meals for the weekends and holidays, and pet food to our recipients with furry friends. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and range in age from elementary school students to retirees. The service these volunteers provide is much greater than just meal delivery. They offer a lifeline to our isolated clients. On many occasions volunteers have found clients in life threatening situations are were able to save the day by just being there. Meals on Wheels is governed by a Board of Directors who are active in all fundraising as well as daily operations. The staff is comprised of three full-time and one part-time positions. Interns through the University of Oklahoma Work-Study Program and TANF workers provide additional office help. Since 1972 Meals on Wheels of Norman has delivered 1.6 million meals to the ill, disabled, and elderly of our community. Individually, the daily meal delivery provides friendly companionship, prevention of isolation, promotion of independent living, and life-saving interaction. Meals on Wheels is a very needed and worthwhile service in our community.