ERJCC Houston Meals on Wheels

TODA Fall Winter 2011 Newsletter 

For many home bound seniors, a daily hot meal and a friendly face are not common. What most of us take for granted is truly a luxury for these seniors. One program in Houston has the capability of providing these two vital necessities in a senior's life.

The Program
Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver hot meals to qualified elderly persons in our community. The meals are subsidized by the Houston/Harris County Area Agency on Aging with Title III Funds from the Older Americans Act. In Southwest Houston, the ERJCC has been the coordinating agency since 1989. 
 

The Recipients
Each day, more than 300 homebound seniors (ages 60+) in southwest Houston Harris County receive a noontime meal in their home. These meals are delivered Monday through Friday.

The Meals on Wheels program serves a diverse population including ethnic and religious minorities, individuals of low-income status, and people with physical and/or cognitive impairments.

Those who are eligible for the program include:

• 60 years of age or older
• Homebound by reason of illness
• A spouse under age 60 of an eligible participant may be considered eligible if the nature of the illness or incapacitating disability enforces isolation upon both household members. 
   
   

The Meals
Meals on Wheels offers both a hot Kosher and Standard American meal daily. The Kosher meals are prepared in the kitchen at the ERJCC while the Standard meals are delivered to the ERJCC by Valley Food Services Monday through Friday. 
 

The Service Area
Meals on Wheels at the ERJCC are delivered in "Area 6". This area is located between the Southwest Freeway (Highway 59) and Highway 288 and between the South Loop (Loop 610) and the Fort Bend County Line. 

Kosher meals are delivered to recipients in these zip codes:
77031, 77035, 77045, 77051, 77053, 77071, 77074, 77081, 77085, 77096 and Bellaire outside of the Loop. Zip codes are served as long as they fall within the boundaries of Area 6.
 

Through Volunteers, You Invest in Humanity
For the volunteer, the Meals on Wheels Program is a unique opportunity in learning and service. It has grown out of the belief that there are those in Houston with specific needs that caring persons in our community might truly serve.

Dedicated volunteers proved the necessary means to help these homebound elderly by volunteering 1-2 hours per week delivering between 8-20 meals. The profile of the volunteer is extremely diverse--some are retired while others work and take time during their lunch hour to deliver meals. There are stay at home moms, students, and business owners as well.

Many of the senior citizens in our community are able to remain in their homes because of assistance from the Meals on Wheels and other organizations that allow them to maintain their independence.

While many individuals serve as volunteers for the program, Meals on Wheels is looking toward local businesses and corporations to join our "Corporate Volunteer Corps". Businesses participating in this program recruit volunteers from their organization that are assigned to drive weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. These corporations usually allow the driver to participate on company time. It is a tremendous opportunity to have your organization working together for a worthwhile cause. 
 

Get Involved
Won't you please get involved? Volunteer as a meal deliver, meal packer, assessor, or office assistant for the Meals on Wheels program by contacting Timothy Stewart at tstewart@erjcchouston.org or 713-729-3200, ext. 3251.

If you know of anyone who would be appropriate as a recipient of our program call us at 713-729-3200 so that our staff can schedule an appointment to visit with and assess that senior.