Elizabeth was looking forward to her retirement years until she had to have both legs amputated beneath her knees. Rose is dealing with the effects of crippling rheumatoid arthritis and cannot cook for herself.

Mike’s wife died. She cooked and helped him manage his heart condition. Now he is alone.

The stories could go on, but the reality is that because these clients receive a daily meal and a visit from a caring volunteer, they are able to remain independent in their own home.

Since the early 1970s, Meals on Wheels of Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Durham and Wake Counties have provided a daily meal to homebound seniors and neighbors with disabilities. Each meal is given to a person who has lived a full and productive life. Now they need our help.

The Meals on Wheels program has a significant, positive impact on the health, wellbeing, and social connectedness of homebound seniors. Seniors receiving daily meals showed improvement in their mental health, were less lonely and isolated, felt connected, and more confident about living independently. They ate healthier foods, and experienced fewer falls compared to seniors not receiving the service.

The three Triangle area Meals on Wheels programs deliver over 2,000 hot, nutritious meals Monday through Friday. The volunteers deliver “More Than a Meal.” The program provides seniors with peace of mind, safety, and, most importantly, the happiness that comes with vital human connections.

For additional information on receiving meals, volunteering or making a donation contact:

In Chapel Hill-Carrboro:
call 919-942-2948 or visit www.chcmow.org

In Durham County:
call 919-667-9424 or visit www.mowdurham.org

In Wake County:
call 919-833-1749 or visit www.wakemow.org