Rockwall Kiwanis would like to thank our guest Margie VerHagen from Meals on Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall for sharing with us.Meals on Wheels operates in Rockwall County with a diversity of programs and services to fulfill the needs of our community. They are committed to supporting and serving our senior residents and persons with disabilities to live healthier and more nourished lives.
Their mission is to keep the elderly and disabled citizens of Rockwall County living in their homes as long as safely possible by providing nutritious meals, daily human contact and supportive services.
Meals on Wheels Senior Services began as a grass-roots movement over 40 years ago with local members of the community looking out for their elderly neighbors. Concerned for the health and well-being of seniors who were unable to shop for or prepare meals, this group began preparing meals in neighborhood kitchens and delivering them to seniors throughout Rockwall County. These volunteer efforts took hold and the Rockwall County Committee on Aging was founded in 1978.
As the program grew, it became apparent that isolated homebound seniors needed more than a meal. To help improve their quality of life, full-time employees were hired. Today, more than 300 homebound seniors receive meals every day. Their congregate sites serve over 1,600 meals each month. Furthermore, collaboration with several local agencies allows them to provide their senior clients with access to the services they need to remain healthy and independent.
Their growth has been tremendous but the need for support continues to outpace the public funding available to provide these services. MOWSS assists the elderly to remain independent in their own homes by providing nutritious meals, as well as through supportive services such as Allan’s Companions program, Ani-Meals (a pet food program), emergency food boxes, referrals, and advocacy Ombudsman services. MOWSS provides 95,000 meals each year to seniors and people with disabilities living in Rockwall County. Volunteer drivers deliver the food to clients’ homes and to congregate sites. These services are provided based on need, regardless of income.
