ABOUT MEALS ON WHEELS CHICAGO : The holidays can be a really tough time for those who are homebound because they remember their loved ones who have passed away. Just hearing the holiday song they used to love to sing with their spouse only intensifies their feelings of isolation. More than 30 years ago, a group of community leaders were shocked to learn that Chicago’s senior citizens were not receiving a meal on holidays - when these seniors most acutely felt alone and isolated. As a result, a partnership was formed in 1987 and Meals on Wheels Chicago was founded. On Thanksgiving Day, 1988, the very first holiday meal was delivered to 1,218 homebound senior citizens and a tradition was born.
Thirty years on, Meals on Wheels Chicago continues to work on eliminating hunger and isolation by delivering festive meals on major holidays, reminding our older neighbors they haven’t been forgotten. In the meantime, we have expanded our services to include home-delivered meals to people with disabilities and volunteer opportunities to socialize with our elder neighbors at Chicago regional senior centers.