We didn’t always think inside the box.
Prior to April 2020, Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland (MOWCM) delivered hot and cold meals to our clients five days a week. To keep our clients safe during the pandemic, we transitioned to delivering frozen meal boxes once a week.
On July 6, we unbox!
This means we return to our regular, daily hot and cold meal delivery model.
*Carroll and Harford Counties return to 3-days a week frozen meal delivery.
Why is it important to return to regular delivery?
It’s more appealing and easier for our clients.
- Each client receives a hot meal to eat at lunchtime, which is more appetizing and less work than having to heat a frozen meal before enjoying.
It’s a friendlier & healthier experience.
- Each client will see the friendly face of a MOWCM volunteer or team member five days a week, which helps reduce loneliness and feelings of isolation.
- 1 in 5 homebound client’s only regular interaction is with a MOWCM volunteer or team member delivering his or her meals.
We understand how to do it safely.
- With increasing vaccination rates and a year of experience, we can maintain the safety of our clients, volunteers, and team members.
What does hot & cold meal delivery look like?
Whether you’re a Meals on Wheels client or volunteer, here’s what to expect as we transition back to our traditional delivery model. Click to expand and learn more.
For Our Home-Delivered Meal Clients
- Up to two meals per day, a hot lunch and a cold supper, are delivered by a caring volunteer between 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Your Meals on Wheels volunteer will safely deliver your meals in a plastic Meals on Wheels bag, following current COVID protocols that include social distancing, hand sanitizing, and wearing a mask.
- All Meals on Wheels volunteers are required to pass a health screening prior to volunteering.
For Our Delivery Volunteers
- Hot meals are transported in a MOWCM hot bag. The bag gets plugged into a charging port in your car.
- Cold meals are transported in a MOWCM cooler in your car.
- All meals are delivered in a MOWCM plastic bag to the client. Meals should never be left outside the client’s door.
- Upon completion of your delivery route, return hot bags and coolers to the distribution site.
- No paper/hardcopy route sheets. Access your route list via the MobileMeals app from a MOWCM tablet or your smartphone. Training and instructions will be provided.
- You will deliver to an average of 8 to 12 clients.
- Current COVID protocols. Social distancing, wearing masks, using hand sanitizer, and passing a health screening still apply.
Attend a one-hour virtual session to learn about the changes to delivery procedures, how to use the Mobile Meals app, and how to sign up for delivery shifts. Please RSVP to Volunteer Services for the Zoom access information.
Virtual Session Dates: Wednesday, June 2nd at 12pm; Thursday, June 10th at 9am; Monday, June 14th at 5pm.
MEAL DELIVERY VOLUNTEERS:
Attend a one-hour virtual session to learn about the changes to delivery procedures, how to use the Mobile Meals app, and how to sign up for delivery shifts. Please RSVP to Volunteer Services for the Zoom access information.
Virtual Session Dates: Wednesday, June 2nd at 12pm; Thursday, June 10th at 9am; Monday, June 14th at 5pm.
Volunteers are always needed!
A good meal and a friendly face can make all the difference. Be that friendly face and source of connection to a homebound senior in your community.