Meals on Wheels is run by Dunn County

http://www.co.dunn.wi.us/index.asp?SEC=D07EE9E1-9A6A-4F08-B555-3EBC134E904E&Type=B_BASIC

 

History

Meals on Wheels started in the 1960s and Medicare helped low income, but not middle income elders. These elders had problems with cooking, transportation, and paperwork. Elders marched in 1968 to tell congress ‘we need help’ and got what they needed. 1974 is when MOW came to Menomonie.

 

What they do

They work with Stepping Stones to create and deliver emergency food boxes. These boxes contain shelf stable foods in case people can’t be reached with MOW due to weather.

There are two contracted people who drive the bulk of food to the jail. There are 4 individual packing sites. Volunteers come to pack.

They prepare food at the county kitchen at the jail and have their own food and own chef. They look at the food nutrition to make sure they stay within federal standards (4 times a year).

The UDSA has a super tracker for meals. The nutrition has to fall within standards for weekly periods. So if one day is low, they can make it up the next day, and vise versa.

Nutrition values are based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet. Roughly, they try to reach 675 calories per meal (on the higher side).

They currently get their food from Avions. The supplier is government contracted, so its based on bidding for the contract.

50 meals per day are delivered by two drivers. The longest drive is 25 miles round trip [approx. 6.25 meals per wheel (assuming 4 wheel vehicle)]. There is no time-frame to get these meals to people, just while they’re still warm, and the routes are always changing.

This is one of the programs (other than veterans) that is non-income based, meaning anyone in need can use it.

50% of MOW participants see the one meal delivered as half of their food for the day.

18% of seniors would go without food if MOW didn’t deliver.

Surveys that come with meals help MOW make better foods, currently people want more fresh salads.

They provide meals for many of the holidays.

They make meal accommodations when there is a doctors note, like for gluten free, kidney disease, heart disease etc.

They also provide alternatives for religious accommodations.

Grass fed beef and local produce are slowly being able to be accepted.

(from their website)

Home Delivered Meals

Meals on Wheels are offered in most parts of Dunn County.  Call the Nutrition Program Coordinator at the ADRC 715-232-4006 to register.  You will be asked some basic information to determine eligibility. A follow up home visit will be scheduled. Meals may start as soon as arrangements can be made. Long or short-term we are here to help. Volunteer opportunities are available at all meal sites.  

Who Is Eligible?

• Must be 60 or older

• Homebound due to health reason

• Unable to prepare a nutritious meal on their own

What Is the Cost?

The Meals Aren't Free...But there is not a specific charge per meal. There is a suggested donation amount of $4.00 per meal. You are asked to donate as generously as you can afford. Actual cost is $9.00. Any amount will be gratefully accepted. No senior will go hungry due to inability to pay.

At the end of the month we will send a statement with the number of meals you received.

How Can I Get Meals?

Please call the ADRC at (715) 232-4006 to register for Meals on Wheels. 

 

Funding

Meals on Wheels receives 40% of its budget from the Federal Government, 50% from Dunn County, and 10% from donations. Federal funding is based on census data.

 

Donations

Jason Davis, the owner of The Waterfront Bar & Grill, donates fish fry on Fridays.

They are always grant writing, trying to get funding from anywhere they can.

They also receive donations from the Lions, Swiss Miss, 3M (not so much anymore),

Walmart and other local businesses are difficult to get donations from because they are always receiving requests for donations from many other organizations.

They would rather receive monetary donations than food donations. This is so they can purchase food that is appropriate for the seniors.

 

Obstacles

Finding volunteers, specifically daytime volunteers.

Buying quality food with the money they receive. Paying attention to feedback about taste and texture from the seniors. As people get older, they can lose some of their sense of taste, and some foods can be more difficult to eat.

Usually, when Federal funding goes down, the county will help with the difference. This is an expensive program and though prices are rising on good foods, the funding is staying the same.

The elderly are often a forgotten group. Primarily children and families are the high priority in Federal programs.

 

Congregate Dining

There are 3 restaurant sites: Knapp, Colfax, and Sand Creek. The sites allow for socialization while eating (people whom are joining seniors can also just donate $4 per meal).

(from their website)

Who is Eligible?

• You must be 60 or better

• An underage spouse of an eligible participant

• A caregiver or disabled person who lives with an eligible senior and accompanies them to a meal site

• A disabled person that lives in a housing unit that hosts a meal site and is occupied mostly by seniors

What Is the Cost?

You are not “charged” for a meal, but a donation per meal is suggested to help defray program costs.  The suggested donation for a congregate meal is $4.00 per meal.  You may donate more or less towards the meal depending on your financial situation.  The actual cost of a congregate meal is $9.00 per meal. No one over 60 will be denied a meal due to inability to donate.

 How Do I Sign Up?

Meal reservations are required 24 hours in advance.

Call the site manager to reserve your spot at the table or contact the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Dunn County office at 715-232-4006 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and we can make your reservation for you.

Locations:

Colfax Grapevine Senior Center           

Meals are served Monday through Thursday at 11:30 a.m.

Telephone:  715-962-2550 between 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Dairyland Café in Ridgeland

Meals are served Monday through Friday from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

Telephone:  715-949-1985

Eau Galle Civic Center     

Meals are served Monday and Wednesday at 12 noon

Telephone:  715-283-4252 between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Hosford-Rich Apartments in Menomonie       

Meals are served Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m.

Telephone:  715-235-4047 between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Boo'z in Knapp

Meals are served Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m.

Telephone:  715-665-2215 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Sand Creek Cafe   

Meals are served Monday through Friday from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm

Telephone:  715-658-1335

Tantara Apartments in Menomonie

Meals are served Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m.

Telephone:  715-556-0266 between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Colfax	M – Th	962-2550	Ridgeland	M – F	949-1937
Eau Galle	M + W	283-4252	Tantara in Menomonie	M – F	556-0266
Knapp	M – F	665-2215	Sand Creek	M – F	658-1335
Hosford-Rich Apts.	M – F	235-4047	ADRC Office for Dunn Country	M – F	232-4006