About Meals on Wheels

ow in its 17th year, the Canyon County Festival of Trees has raised over $387,000 to help support the Nampa and Caldwell Meals on Wheels (MOW) programs. In 1974, Sister Mary Terese Tracy RSM was responsible for

seeking the initial funding for Mercy Medical Center's Meals on Wheels program. Caldwell's program began shortly thereafter in 1976, receiving its first meals from Mercy Medical Center.

 

Video produced by Peppershock Media Productions, LLC

To qualify for service an individual must be:

• 60 years of age or older, unless Medicaid qualified
• Homebound
• Living alone or with a spouse who is unable to prepare nutritious meals

Each meal contains 1/3 of the daily nutrition requirements for an adult. Served hot, our meals contain a variation of foods containing protein, starch and vegetables. Fresh fruit, a dessert, milk and juice are included with each meal. Hot meals are delivered each day Monday through Friday with frozen meals available for Saturday and Sunday.

The meals are delivered primarily by Volunteers who participate in the program on a weekly basis. Often the Volunteers are the only contact the program participants have on a regular basis.

The meal is provided to qualifying participants at no charge. There is no means test for participation in the service. There is a suggested donation of $4.00 per day, to assist with the cost of the meal.

• The average meal cost is $4.50
• The average participant donation per meal is $1.20

Once a referral for service is received, an assessment is performed to determine eligibility. Meals on Wheels Mercy Medical Center and Caldwell have a "Wait List" for service.