The Meals On Wheels Association of America is the oldest and largest organization in the United States, with its earliest history tracing back to 1939. It began during world war two when the women’s volunteer service for civil defense group brought refreshments to the servicemen in canteens. These canteens became known as "Meals on Wheels", and an American tradition was born. Today meals on wheels is still helping ensure that no senior citizen goes without food.
The Meals on Wheels program works toward the social, physical, nutritional, and economic betterment of vulnerable Americans. This program focuses most on men and women who are elderly. This program delivers much needed food to people are elderly, disabled or homebound for one reason or another. When this program was started the seniors were charged a nominal fee to help cover costs and also to maintain their sense of dignity. The seniors were charged between 40 and 80 cents a day based on their ability to pay. Many seniors began to rely completely on these meals and their efficient delivery; even joking with volunteers if the food delivery was even a couple of minutes late.
In addition to providing food to seniors, meals on wheels also distributes educational material that helps educate seniors on their specific nutritional needs. Through providing food and education, meals on wheels is changing the lives of seniors across the country. If it were not for this program many seniors would have to remain in the hospital instead of being allowed to live their lives peacefully in their homes.
