Orange County’s “Meals on Wheels OC” organization, a non-profit dedicated to delivering meals to seniors, opened its doors to media personnel this Tuesday (19th). Located in Anaheim, Orange County, this organization serves thousands of elderly residents in 21 cities in the central-northern part of the county by providing them with daily meals and various home services free of charge.
As the elderly population in Orange County continues to grow, there is an increasing demand for nutritionally rich meals and social connections. Shannon King Ginter, Senior Director of Development at MOWOC, emphasized the importance of seniors feeling connected to others, noting that meal delivery volunteers often serve as the only social interaction some seniors have during the week.
In addition to meal delivery, MOWOC offers communal dining services through “Lunch Cafes,” providing seniors with social opportunities. They also provide services such as day care, friendly visits, nursing coordination, and case management, all aimed at helping seniors live safely and comfortably in their homes.
Currently, MOWOC offers five carefully curated meal options: multicultural series (cheeseburger or chicken breast pasta), Asian flavors, Mexican cuisine, lactose-free options, and vegetarian meals, all designed to meet the daily nutritional needs of seniors.
Registered dietitian Annie Dao mentioned that the Orange County government has established nutritional guidelines and approves the organization’s recipes. Dao explained that creating these recipes involves meticulous consideration for meeting requirements in terms of calories, protein, dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, calcium, sodium, and other key indicators, making it a challenging task.
The kitchen facilities were put into service before the 2020 pandemic. Yahaira Martinez, Director of Food Operations, stated that during the pandemic, they provided about 50,000 meal boxes daily. The kitchen operates around the clock with two shifts, from 4 am to 11 pm, five days a week.
Alejandro Lupercio, Deputy Director of Social Services, introduced MOWOC’s five types of meals based on survey results, emphasizing the importance of allowing people to choose their own food for increased happiness, interaction, and empowerment.
MOWOC currently serves over 8,000 seniors at 24 senior centers in 21 cities with communal dining services at “Lunch Cafes.” The diverse cultural backgrounds coming together to enjoy different flavors create valuable social connections for the elderly.
They also implement a meal trial program to provide seniors with more opportunities to dine with friends and family at various locations.
Regarding home services, Christa Sherman, Director of Social Services at MOWOC, outlined tasks such as indoor cleaning, personal care including bathing, grooming, nail trimming, and more intensive tasks like clearing yard debris to ensure safe pathways, along with transportation services for non-medical purposes – all provided free of charge, with voluntary donation options available.
Case Management Service Managers are fluent in Spanish and Vietnamese and assist seniors in applying for free phones, connecting hearing-impaired seniors with phones featuring text reading functions, and linking them to local resources like the Alzheimer’s Association.
All of MOWOC’s programs offer services in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese, with translation services available for other languages. These initiatives are established under the Older Americans Act and coordinated by the California Department of Aging and local offices for seniors.
Home-bound seniors in Orange County aged 60 and above who are ill or have mobility issues and lack family support can apply for the organization’s services. Applicants are assessed for potential risk and caregiving needs. The project’s funding comes from federal and state governments, various organizations, and individual sponsors, and volunteers have contributed over 60,000 hours of service thus far.
MOWOC’s services do not require applicants to have citizenship but must reside in one of the 21 cities in Orange County where the organization provides nutrition services. Sherman emphasized the importance of seniors maintaining their dignity, staying connected with the community, and never feeling isolated.