Meals on Wheels is more than just a meal it's nourishment, connection, and a reminder that no one is forgotten. Like, Comment, and Share out page with your Friends
Meals On Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth is on the front line by helping senior citizens remain independent, dignified members of our local community by assisting in the maintenance of their nutritional needs....one meal at a time. We are a registered 501-c-3 non-profit corporation whose sole mission is to provide for the nutritional needs of homebound senior citizens in the Lewes, Rehoboth and Harbeson areas. We play an important role in helping seniors maintain healthy, independent lives by providing hot meals and warm smiles each weekday to over 200 agency clients. As a source of daily contact for homebound elderly, we are doing our part to contain health care costs when a client can avoid institutionalized living. Meals on Wheels of Lewes & Rehoboth, Inc. was organized in 1970 and funded by the Delaware Division of Aging in 1973. In its first year, this program delivered 16,609 meals to our areas homebound. By the end of the 1970s, more than 20,000 meals per year were being distributed. As client needs grew, the program expanded to include a holistic approach to providing services. Over 90,000 meals are served to homebound participants of our program each year. There is a misconception throughout the state that Eastern Sussex County is populated with only wealthy retirees, who remain forever youthful and healthy. Unfortunately, this is not so. Even a more than modest retirement account can be wiped out almost overnight when catastrophic and/or chronic illness comes to call. If you were to compare the cost of institutionalization with the cost of providing home delivered meals, you will surely see that the Meals on Wheels program is a cost effective alternative. Our program grows at a rate of 3 - 6% per year in overall service, due to the advancing age of retirees and their increased susceptibility to life-threatening illnesses. In addition, we anticipate the same increase in the under 60 growth rate, due to the ever-growing numbers of disabled persons under the age of 60. Volunteers make this meal service possible. Currently, Meals on Wheels has over 125 wonderfully dedicated, volunteers who make this distribution a reality. Each day, drivers, with their partners, deliver two meals to each client on one of thirteen routes, covering approximately 1/3 of Sussex County, Delaware's largest county. Client numbers being on the rise, recruitment of additional drivers is continuous. Click here to learn about volunteering. We are an organization proud of our volunteer heritage, proud to stand on our own two feet so to speak. However, we are always accepting of any assistance offered to us by our caring community members and business associates. Without such help, Meals on Wheels of Lewes & Rehoboth, Inc. would not be in existence today.
