Meals on Wheels of Boulder Celebrates 40 Years of Making a Difference in Boulder

Meals on Wheels of Boulder celebrates its 40th anniversary this month having exceeded the 1.5 million meal mark in its 40 year history.
In 1969, the Boulder Soroptomist Club completed a door-to-door survey to determine the needs of the elderly in Boulder. One of the top needs identified was delivery of a hot meal to those confined to their homes. In September 1969, a steering committee of concerned citizens met to start a home delivered meal program. Then, on December 8, 1969, Meals on Wheels of Boulder delivered its first meals to 15 clients.
In 2008, the organization served nearly 600 clients and prepared nearly 90,000 meals. The 40-year cumulative total number of meals prepared by year end 2009 will be more than 1.6 million! In 2006, Meals on Wheels of Boulder completed an extensive kitchen renovation which expanded its capacity from 25,000 meals a year to more than 120,000, thus positioning the organization to deal with the so-called “silver tsunami” of aging baby boomers.
“One of our most significant achievements is the recent creation of Project Homecoming,” said executive director Francea Phillips. “In 2007 we learned that more than 30 percent of individuals released from a hospital don’t know where their first meal is coming from and many are confused by new dietary restrictions.”
The Meals on Wheels of Boulder response? A “no strings” offer of five free meals to any person released from the hospital to his or her Boulder home, in compliance with any prescribed dietary guidelines. There are no restrictions on age or reason for hospitalization. Individuals should call 303-441-3908 for more details.
In addition to home delivered meals, lunch is prepared and served daily at Café Classico in the West Boulder Senior Center at 9th and Arapahoe. According to Phillips, “It’s the best kept secret in Boulder; only $4 buys a choice of entrée, salad, dessert and beverage. And it’s open to all from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday!”
Another popular service provided by Meals on Wheels of Boulder is called “Wheels to Meals.” Every Tuesday evening, in partnership with Special Transit, residents can enjoy a full dinner and entertainment for only $5.
More information about any of these programs is available by visiting www.mowboulder.org or calling 303-441-3908.
Meals on Wheels of Boulder is a locally administered and funded not-for-profit organization serving residents of Boulder. Meals on Wheels’ clients include individuals of all ages and economic abilities who may be confined to their homes for any reason, including recovery from surgery, an illness or long- or short-term disabilities.