It could be you, your next door neighbor or a family member. The meals, plus daily contact by caring volunteers, allow homebound individuals to remain independent in their homes.

Hot, nutritious meals delivered daily can assist people in:

• Remaining independent in their homes
• Avoiding hospitalizations
• Managing chronic health issues, including special diets necessary for diabetes, heart related, renal, and swallowing complications
• Ensuring their safety at the same time of meal delivery

Safety Check:
Volunteers who deliver meals play a vital role by reporting to Meals on Wheels any health and environmental changes or crises they may have observed during their visits. This includes participants that did not answer their door and changes in behavior and/or surroundings. Reported and suspected issues will be immediately addressed by Meals on Wheels staff to carry-out next steps as previously outlined by participants or their caregivers. Meals on Wheels staff establish a baseline of function and environment at the initial home visit and annually thereafter.

Fee:
Home delivered meals are based on a sliding scale and donations are encouraged. Funding may be available for some individuals. Donations may be made using cash, check, credit card or Vision Card.

Eligibility:

• Person 60 years of age or older who is Homebound(difficulty leaving the home unassisted)
• Person 60 years of age or older who is Isolated
• Person 60 years of age or older who is a Caretaker, as long as it is in the participant's best interest
• Spouse of an Eligible Participant as long as it is in the participant's best interest
• Disabled or Dependent Individual who resides in a non-institutional setting with an eligible participant and it is in the participant's best interest
• Registered congregate meal participant who needs a home-delivered meal(s) due to an illness or health condition

Target Population:
Nutrition services are targeted to people 60 years of age or older in greatest social and economic need, particularly low-income minorities. An additional target criterion of the home delivered meals program is that program resources are targeted to those most in need of meals and at greatest nutritional risk.

Menu Development and Nutritional Requirements
The Meals on Wheels Dietitian must certify in writing documentation of nutritional adequacy which includes the following:

• A target of 800 mg. of sodium per meal will be provided with a maximum of 1000 mg. of sodium provided on a weekly average per meal;
• A minimum of 625 calories per meal will be provided with a weekly target goal of 750-850 per meal based on a weekly average;
• Thirty-percent (30%) or less as fat will be provided per meal based on a weekly average.
• A minimum of one-third (1/3) of the RDA per meal daily for Vitamin C, protein, calcium, and thiamin;
• A minimum of one-third (1/3) of the RDA will be provided per meal based on weekly averages for Vitamin A and iron.

• The menu must consider the special needs of older adults and incorporate input solicited from older adults including their food preferences and needs;
• The meals must comply with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which includes the Food Guide Pyramid, as published by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture;
• The meals must provide a minimum of the current recommended dietary allowances (RDAs), which are established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences.
• Meals on Wheels must utilize standardized recipes at each of its production facilities that prepare certified menus. Standardized recipes are required to ensure an accurate and valid nutrient analysis.

Special Diets:
Hot nutritious meals are delivered daily and can assist people in: remaining independent in their homes, avoiding hospitalizations, and managing chronic health issues. We provide special diets for individuals with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disorders and those who have trouble chewing or swallowing.

Congregate Dining Centers:
Individuals over the age of 60 may reserve a meal at one of the dining centers. Noon meals are served Monday through Friday at dining centers throughout Shawnee and Jefferson Counties. In addition to a well-balanced and nutritious meal, individuals will receive nutrition education and may enjoy the opportunity to socialize and make new friends as well as participate in other activities.

Fee:
Donations are encouraged and much appreciated; however, there is no established fee. Donations may be made using cash, check, or Vision Card.

Eligibility:

• Person 60 years of age or older and their spouse of that person regardless of his or her age;
• Individuals less than 60 years of age who provide volunteer services during meal hours, as long as his or her meal will not deprive an eligible participant of a meal;
• Non-elderly disabled person who resides in a housing facility occupied primarily by individuals 60 years of age or older where congregate nutrition services are provided;
• Non-elderly disabled person who resides in a home with and accompanies an individual 60 years of age or older.

Target Population:
Nutrition services are targeted to people 60 years of age or older in greatest social and economic need, particularly low-income minorities. An additional target criterion of the home delivered meals program is that program resources are targeted to those most in need of meals and at greatest nutritional risk.

Menu Development and Nutritional Requirements
The Meals on Wheels Dietitian must certify in writing documentation of nutritional adequacy which includes the following:

• A target of 800 mg. of sodium per meal will be provided with a maximum of 1000 mg. of sodium provided on a weekly average per meal;
• A minimum of 625 calories per meal will be provided with a weekly target goal of 750-850 per meal based on a weekly average;
• Thirty-percent (30%) or less as fat will be provided per meal based on a weekly average.
• A minimum of one-third (1/3) of the RDA per meal daily for Vitamin C, protein, calcium, and thiamin;
• A minimum of one-third (1/3) of the RDA will be provided per meal based on weekly averages for Vitamin A and iron.

• The menu must consider the special needs of older adults and incorporate input solicited from older adults including their food preferences and needs;
• The meals must comply with the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which includes the Food Guide Pyramid, as published by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture;
• The meals must provide a minimum of the current recommended dietary allowances (RDAs), which are established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences.
• Meals on Wheels must utilize standardized recipes at each of its production facilities that prepare certified menus. Standardized recipes are required to ensure an accurate and valid nutrient analysis.

• List of Dining Centers
• Fee
• Eligibility
• Target Population
• Menu Development/Nutritional Requirements
• For maps to our current dining centers please select from the list below
  Topeka Centers: East Topeka Senior Center | First Apartments | Highland Park United Methodist Church | LULAC Multipurpose Center | Papan’s Landing Senior Center | Madison Street Apartments | Tyler Towers
  Shawnee County Centers: Auburn Civic Center | Rossville Senior Center | Silver Lake Senior Center
  Jefferson County Centers: St. Aloysius Church in Meriden
• Douglas County: Babcock Place | Midland Care | Eudora Rec Center | Baldwin Healthcare & Rehab Center
• UPR form | For UPR questions please call 785-430-2186 , print the attached form and either email to mow@mowks.org, fax to 1-844-395-8849 or mail to: Meals on Wheels of Eastern Kansas, Inc, 2134 SW Westport Dr - Topeka, Kansas 66614.

Weekly home deliveries of multiple frozen meals are available to residents in Shawnee, Jefferson and Douglas counties that reside outside of the city limits. All of the meals meet or exceed the federal and state regulatory guidelines and are heart healthy in order to meet the needs of those we serve.

Benefits to receiving these meals:

• Remain in the comfort of your own home
• Accessing a variety of meals, when you want them
• Supporting your nutritional needs

Multi-day home delivered meals are:

• Based on a sliding scale
• Funding may be available for some individuals
• Donations are encouraged

Eligibility for Multi-Day Home Delivered Meals
You may be eligible if you:

• Reside within rural Shawnee, Jefferson or Douglas County
• Are homebound
• Are an unpaid caregiver or spouse caring for an individual over 60 or disabled and unable to prepare meals