Meals on Wheels of Chemung County, Inc.

Meals on Wheels of Chemung County relies on the people of our community to help us package and deliver meals to homebound seniors in our area.  We deliver over 300 meals a day to our clients and this would not be possible without all of these wonderful volunteers. 

We use large "camping coolers" to deliver our meals BUT there is an easier and lighter way to transport the meals - Insulated bags that are light weight and have straps to carry like a bag.  Help us in our goal to buy two bags for every route = 50 bags to help our volunteers with lighter containers to carry the meals in.

If you are interested in helping get food into the hands of people that really need it, come down and give us a hand.  You can volunteer to help in the kitchen or delivering meals to clients homes.  Either way you leave here knowing that you have made a difference in someone's life and that is a powerful feeling!!

Call us or just stop in, we will get you set right up to help your community.

Who We Are

Meals on Wheels was founded in Chemung County in 1970. Since its inception it has continuously provided nutritious, appealing meals and special diets, through daily personal contact to homebound seniors and frail and/or disabled adults.
Meals on Wheels is More Than A Meal! With this program seniors remain in their own home and have the daily social interaction with volunteers rather than being placed prematurely into a nursing facility.
In 2015, over 85,000 meals were served throughout the county. National statistics show that 1 out of 6 seniors face the fact that they may go to bed hungry each night! In Chemung County, that equates to over 3,000 seniors.
The program has evolved from simple meal delivery to an organization that provides important security and social services. The agency is one of very few that has daily face to face contact with its clients so changes in behavior or environment can be noted. For example:
1. Surveys show a majority of seniors will cut back on food when finances are strained resulting in a higher percentage of health problems.
2. Seniors receiving meals have better mental health and suffer less stress anxiety.
3. Meals on Wheels is cost effective. A senior can be kept in the comfort of their own home for less than $3,000 annually, while the cost of assisted living or a nursing home can be upwards of $80,000 annually.