Meals On Wheels-The History

Meals on Wheels

By Terry Bailey

Prior to the middle of the twentieth century, most families were rural farming folks, particularly in the Great Plains. As the younger generation matured, the young men took over the operation of the farm while Dad and Mom helped with the transaction. As the older generation reached advanced age, they lived with their children. The kids took care of Mom and Dad until they passed on.

After World War II family members began to live farther and farther away from one another. There were fewer families on the farm. The kids went to college, married young men and women from distant communities, and came home only for the holidays. That is simply how our society has evolved. This brings us to the question, who is taking care of Mom and Dad?

For a number of years after retirement, Mom and Dad are quite self-sufficient and are terribly independent. At some point in time, they arrive at that stage of their lives when their ability to live independently is challenged. They certainly do not need full time care in a facility, but there are unquestionably some things they are unable to do anymore. One such sticking point is preparing nutritious and healthy meals for themselves.

Who will make sure Mom and Dad are well taken care of, nutritionally speaking? The kids are gone. Neighbors are often strangers. Many of their friends have reached an age of similar challenges. Faulty nutrition has associated complications. Those who do not eat well will face physical and mental trials.

The answer to this challenge has its roots in the “Blitz” during WWII when the German air force tried to bomb London into submission. Thousands of homes and businesses were blasted into rubble and countless people were homeless. The Women’s Volunteer Service loaded wagons and pull carts, putting Meals on Wheels, and took the food to where the civilians and soldiers were needing meals. The WVS continued this service throughout the war and gave the British one more reason for winning the Battle of Britain.

The Meals on Wheels concept came to the United States in 1954. Margaret Toy, a Philadelphia social worker, pioneered a program to provide nourishment for the elderly and shut-ins who would otherwise go hungry. Those receiving meals did not require hospitalization but simply needed a helping hand to maintain their independence. Most of the volunteers were high school students who became known as “Platter Angels.”

From this modest beginning in Philadelphia, Meals on Wheels has grown into a network of 5,000 community-based nutritional programs dedicated to ending hunger and isolation for senior citizens. This is the largest such organization in the United States. Most communities in America has an organization delivering meals to those in need. More than two million volunteers give unselfishly of their time to ensure the elderly in the community receive nutritious meals and a friendly visit. This allows our aging population to remain in their homes much longer than otherwise possible.

The vision of the National Meals on Wheels organization is: To establish an America in which all seniors live nourished lives with independence and dignity. Their stated mission statement is: To empower local community programs to improve the health and quality of life of the seniors they serve so that no one is left hungry or isolated.

Fulfilling both the vision and mission statements of Meals on Wheels falls squarely on the shoulders of volunteers. An estimated two million volunteers deliver meals, provide friendly conversations, and perform safety checks for those they visit each day. As with virtually every one of the programs across the United States where people are helped by other people, it is the unpaid, community volunteer who unselfishly gets the job done. They expect no pay. They understand that thanks and words of appreciation may be rare. They provide the services at some, or a lot, of inconvenience to their own lives. In spite of all that, they do it any way.

Next time – Meals on Wheels at home in Beloit.

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA