Sloppy Joes, BBQ Riblet, Burgers, Chicken and More -- Celebrate Summer with Our July Menu!

Our July menu features lots of traditional summertime fare. Click on the image below for a larger view, or view the menu on our agency webpage.

If you're homebound, or know someone who is, we can help! Call us at 330-832-7220 for information on home delivery. We also have congregate dining at several locations in Stark & Wayne counties, for seniors who enjoy interacting with others in a social setting.

There Are Thousands of Homebound Individuals in Stark & Wayne Counties; Help Us Help Them!

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties delivers nutritious meals for homebound individuals five days a week. National census figures tell us there are a lot of people who need that service.

Based on the U.S. population, and calculated for the demographics of our two-county region, there are an estimated 6,000 homebound individuals in Stark and Wayne counties.

Part of our mission is to help those people remain independent and living in their own homes, rather than having to move to a nursing home or assisted living community. A key component of that is proper nutrition, and that's where we come in.

If you are homebound, or you know someone who is, please don't wait -- give us a call and let us show you how we can help. Our social services department assesses every inquiry on an individual basis. Delivery can usually begin within two business days.

If you're age 60 or older and can access transportation, you might enjoy our congregate dining program. Click here for a guide to the 14 sites where we offer congregate dining.

We also have need for volunteer drivers to help deliver meals to our clients. If you've been looking for a way to help in the community and make a difference in people's lives Meals On Wheels is the perfect opportunity.

Contact us at 330-832-7220, or online at www.mow-starkwayne.org.

U.S. Life Expectancy Surpasses 78, A New Record

Several months ago, Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties CEO Teresa Barry authored an opinion column for The Repository, the daily paper in Canton, Ohio, about the impact that retiring baby boomers would have on social service agencies over the next two decades.

In her column, Terri referred to the increasing life expectancy in the United States. That fact has again been confirmed by a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which reveals that life expectancy in the U.S. has now surpassed 78, an all-time high.

As Terri pointed out in her article, when Social Security was created, life expectancy in the country was 65. The system was designed to help people for a few years of retirement. Now, with life expectancy approaching 80, there is a greater strain on Social Security -- and other entitlement programs -- than ever before.

As people age, they need greater levels of health care and social services. At Meals On Wheels, we're here to help those who are homebound by providing proper nutrition. That may be the difference for many people between remaining in their own home or requiring an assisted living facility or nursing home.

If you are homebound, or you know someone who is, we're here to help. If you're a senior who is not homebound, but who would enjoy having a meal in a social setting, we have a congregate dining program, with sites at churches, senior centers and community centers throughout the two-county area.

For more information on home-delivered or congregate programs, call us at 330-832-7220, or visit our web site at www.mow-starkwayne.org.

The Joys and Benefits of Congregate Dining

There is nothing like the feeling of sharing a hot, well-balanced meal while enjoying the simple pleasure of conversation and companionship. Studies have shown that socialization is an important part of remaining mentally alert as we age, and brightening our outlook on life in general. That's where our Congregate Dining Program fits in; it's an important part of the services we provide at Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties.

The Congregate Dining Program is available at 14 of our locations in Stark and Wayne counties. It is funded in part through the Older Americans Act and provides individuals over the age of 60 (or spouses) the opportunity to have a hot, nutritionally balanced meal in a group setting. The suggested donation is $2.50 per meal. (Guests under the age of 60 may attend for a fee of $4.50.) These hot meals are available Monday through Friday at 11:45 am. Reservations are required. Guests must provide their own transportation.

More information is available by calling our office at 330-832-7220, or toll-free at 1-800-466-8010.