Founded in the 1960's as the Home Welfare Association, for over 50 years, Meals on Wheels (MOW) has been committed to delivering nutritious meals to senior citizens,  individuals with physically challenges and vulnerable members of the Winnipeg community. We value the personal contact and caring provided by our volunteers and we respect every client’s right to the very best service we can offer. Meals on Wheels takes pride in the responsible management of human, physical and financial resources, and in providing the highest quality product. Approximately 160,000 meals are served each year by a dedicated team of volunteers. 

Meals on Wheels is a registered charity, governed by a Board of Directors, with five full–time employees who administer and coordinate the program and approximately 300 volunteers who deliver meals 365 days a year. MOW is funded by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA), the United Way and The Winnipeg Foundation, and with the support of generous community donors.

The program could not operate without the collaborative relationship with the 11 facilities that we work with. Meals are prepared at the WRHA Regional Distribution Facility and transported to Winnipeg’s nine hospitals for pick up by our volunteers. There are also two independent facilities that prepare food for our clients.

This service is available to anyone who needs it; a medical referral is not required. The meals contain one–third of the Canada Food Guide daily requirements. Clients of the program range in age from 20 to 105. Meals on Wheels is a low cost health care service provider that allows people to live independently and with dignity in their own homes. A hospital discharge often requires that our services are in place. 

Meals on Wheels clients include:

• People experiencing mobility difficulties, cognitive impairment or diminished vision
• People who have acute or chronic illnesses or diseases
• People requiring specialized diets
• People who have decreased mobility 
• People who are unable to obtain groceries or prepare meals

While providing nutritious food is an important part of our services, the daily visit from volunteers is equally important to clients. For many of them, the volunteer visit is their only contact with another individual during the day and therefore eases the feeling of loneliness. For the families and friends of clients, they are assured that a trained volunteer provides meals to them on a regular basis. 

Thank you to the many generous supporters of Meals on Wheels of Winnipeg, and for your interest in our program. We are happy to share more information if you are interested. 

In Peace, 

Marla Somersall

Executive Director

Please visit us at www.mealswinnipeg.com