“Because you helped my mom before she passed. Thank you.” – Meals on Wheels Donor

According to World Population Review, 175,882 seniors live in Contra Costa County.

Most of the seniors that Meals on Wheels serves are between 60-90 years old, with the majority over 80. Unfortunately, this is the population that is most at risk of food scarcity, especially if they are homebound.

In Contra Costa County, our seniors are often isolated, and/or living in rural areas. It is difficult for them to travel the long distances required to buy nutritional foods at reasonable prices. When there are places for them to buy food close by, it’s typically from a gas station or mini market. Food available in these places is often low quality and high in sodium and fat.

Yes! Many family members sign their elderly loved ones up for Meals on Wheels.

We also receive many referrals from hospitals, social workers, neighbors, and anyone with direct contact with a senior who might need our help

Click on the logos below to contact the appropriate organization serving your area to sign up:

Signing up for meal delivery is as easy as possible!

Step 1: The Senior or their family member calls into one of three regional partner organizations to determine if they are eligible.

Step 2: An intake form is filled out. Our partners ask a variety of questions to determine the individual’s needs and gather the senior’s history.

Step 3: A welcome packet is sent, which includes all of the delivery dates and times, food safety protocol, and any other pertinent information.

Every three months, our partner organizations provide a quarterly update that includes information about the program. This is a chance for seniors and families to learn more about our program, get updates, volunteer, and much more.

Once a senior is signed up with Meals on Wheels, they are not just receiving meals. They are now part of a network of people invested in their well-being.

Each senior will be assigned an Intake Manager from our partner organizations. This Manager is able to help the seniors with everything from mental health services, such as counseling, to specific referrals that help with their quality of life. For example, some seniors could use grip bars throughout their homes for fall prevention. An Intake Manager will help the senior with a referral for grip handles and will follow up with them to make sure they used the referral.

The volunteers delivering the meals are also the eyes and ears of the program. If they notice that a senior is having a hard time, they will relay this information back to the appropriate person! Although the COVID-19 pandemic has limited in-person interaction with our seniors, volunteers from our partner organizations are always available and watching out for our senior clients.

Meals on Wheels has relationships with other nonprofit organizations that can help our seniors stay in their homes. Whether this is helping them qualify for different benefits or help paying a bill, staff is on hand to help them find these resources.

Each meal for a senior costs approximately $8.00.

The cost of each meal for our senior clients varies! Each meal depends on the raw food costs, the season, and many more factors.

We do ask Meals on Wheels clients to make a small contribution towards the cost of the meals, but only what they can afford. No senior is ever turned away if they can’t afford to help with their meal costs.

Meals on Wheels of Contra Costa helps fund approximately 50% of the total costs to provide these meals to our seniors. In addition to client contributions, the Meals on Wheels program is funded through a variety of resources, including donations and grants.

Pre-COVID, Meals on Wheels delivered daily hot meals to senior neighbors.

Since the onset of the pandemic, the program has transitioned to the delivery of frozen meals once a week. In addition, fresh meals have also been added to delivery routes, based on the ever-evolving situation.

All meals are delivered on a set schedule! This ensures that seniors are receiving the meals promptly and volunteers aren’t overextended. Please contact one of our partner organizations for more information about specific delivery schedules.

On average, the entire delivery route takes about an hour and a half.

When a new neighbor signs up for Meals on Wheels, in most cases, they can receive their meals as soon as the following week. However, In some areas, there is a waitlist since the need is greater than delivery volunteers and funding.

Each senior receives nutritional meals that are balanced and we avoid processed foods entirely. Meals vary, as there is an eight-week cycle for meal planning for frozen meals. A certified dietician nutritionist writes a new menu for these cycles quarterly, to allow for variety and seasonal changes.

A typical meal will include a protein, vegetables, fruits, a bread or grain, low-fat milk or milk alternative, and a dessert. All meals are prepared low sodium.

Meals on Wheels also does a senior satisfaction survey to gauge how well our seniors like the meals. We incorporate this feedback as much as possible!

Each meal is designed to provide the recommended daily nutrient intake values for our seniors. Each meal meets a target value of minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. We also have a specific target for fats, sodium, and fiber.

It’s important to note that these guidelines are developed by expert nutritionists and dietitians. This includes all of our meals, and our Emergency Packs (E-Packs).

All of our meals are prepared by a third party caterer, whom the Contra Costa County Senior Nutrition Program contracts with.

Every new client will receive an E-Packs when they sign up with Meals on Wheels!

E-Packs are shelf-stable meals, designed for our clients in case they need supplemental food. In Contra Costa, this can help when we experience wildfires or earthquakes. These meals have also been helpful in the case of other kinds of emergencies. In April 2020 every senior in our program received two extra E-Packs, to help them have extra meals at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emergency packs are given once a quarter to supplement the meals our seniors receive, usually around August.

Each E-pack contains:
• 3 tuna pouches
• 3 chicken pouches
• 3 assorted fruit cups
• 3 assorted applesauce cups
• 6 tomato juices
• 1 box of Wheat Thin crackers
• 6 meal kits
• 6 mayo packets
• 6 assorted drink mix packets

Meals on Wheels of Contra Costa is the fundraising arm for the countywide Meals on Wheels program. We provide funding to the Contra Costa County Senior Nutrition Program to subsidize direct meal costs. The County then subcontracts with with three nonprofit organizations which deliver the meals and interact with our elderly neighbors. Each organization has a unique mission and promise, so check out their websites to learn more about them!

Meals on Wheels West Contra costa:

Originally founded by a reverend who helped serve meals out of the MacArthur Community Church, West County MOW now delivers meals to approximately 400 clients throughout West Contra Costa County.

Meals on Wheels Diablo Region:

MOW Diablo region focuses on meeting the needs of the whole person with a range of services they offer. Their mission is to help seniors live with dignity and independence in their own homes. MOWDR delivers Meals on Wheels to the Central and Eastern areas of Contra Costa County.

J-Sei:

This organization’s focus is providing elder care to Japanese-Americans in our County, which includes culturally appropriate meals. As an organization, they support many activities, including a community center, meal delivery, classes and events, and much more.

Each of our partners is responsible for meal deliveries in a different city in Contra Costa County.

For seniors who live in West County:
Richmond, North Richmond, Point Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole, El Sobrante, Crockett, Rodeo Hercules, Port Costa, El Cerrito, & Kensington. Your contact is West County Meals on Wheels.

• Their phone number is (510) 412-0166.

 

For seniors who live in Central or East County:
Concord, Martinez, Pacheco, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Alamo, Danville, San Ramon, Bay Point, Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood, Byron, Knightsen, Bethel Island, & Discovery Bay. Your contact is Meals on Wheels Diablo Region.

• Their phone number is (925) 937-8607.

For seniors who are part of the J-SEI program:

• Their phone number is (510) 654-4000 ext 105

“I fully support the mission and vision of Meals on Wheels. As a retired person on a fixed income, I donate what I can, when I can. Thank you for doing the compassionate and essential work you do.” – Meals on Wheels Donor

Volunteer:
You can volunteer in our office to help with fundraising or apply to work as a delivery driver for our partners. They are always in need of dedicated, helpful volunteers to make deliveries and check up on our senior clients!

Donate:
Help us provide meals to seniors in Contra Costa County!

Sign Up