Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County

April 12, 2017

Founded in 1976, Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County has been providing healthy meals and meaningful social contact for elders in our community for over 30 years. Meals on Wheels is a vital resource for older adults who otherwise may be unable to afford food or provide for themselves. The organization offers a home meal-delivery service which provides 100,000 meals to seniors annually, while their five senior dining sites provide 50,000 meals across locations in Ben Lomond, Live Oak, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, and Watsonville. Rather than being forced to choose between paying for food, healthcare, or rent, participants can rely on program coordinators and volunteers to help them meet their basic needs.


Nutrition is just one aspect of the program, however. Home deliveries also provide a way to check in with isolated elders and residents with disabilities, maintaining their overall well-being and ensuring that they receive referrals to other resources as needed. The dining facilities provide an opportunity for elders to meet new friends and enjoy a sense of community over a hot meal, free of cost. One participant has attended the same dining site in Santa Cruz for over 20 years, and said “I keep on coming back for the food and the friendship.” Another remarked “I love the people who deliver...they make you feel like they are pulling for you, and make sure you have something on Christmas and Thanksgiving. They really do a lot of good.”  


Proposed cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services as well as Community Development Block Grants under President Trump’s 2018 budget are likely to impact the ability of Meals on Wheels to serve hungry seniors. Thus, volunteer support is especially important right now! You can make a difference in the lives of our elderly community members by getting involved. Volunteer applications are available on the Community Bridges website at communitybridges.org/volunteer. Meals on Wheels also offers quarterly, 2 unit-internships through the Sociology department at UCSC. More information regarding internships can be found at http://sociology.ucsc.edu/undergraduate/programs-internships/internships.html.