Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana takes a different approach to nutrition, one that fully enables patrons to live independently at home. For years, the organization has been committed to making sure everyone receives nourishing meals, but the service comes with even greater benefits.
Meals on Wheels was created with the intention of improving the lives of individuals ages three and up. To date, the Northwest Indiana chapter of the organization serves more than 1,700 meals daily, is supported by 600 local volunteers, and has changed over 2,500 lives across the region. The Northwest Indiana chapter of the program provides nutritious meals to Lake County, Portage, and Hebron, while also helping prepare meals for La Porte, Newton, and Jasper counties.
The first step in achieving this incredible impact is the delivery of wholesome meals every day. The organization has been known for the committed service to seniors, but they are also dedicated to making sure others receive the necessary nourishment.
"We are nutritious meals that address chronic disease,” said Jodi Bella, Business Development Manager of Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana. “We are meals that are delivered as you recover from a hospital stay. We are meals that are delivered to the pregnant woman on bed rest. We are the meals delivered to individuals with MS, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s, and diabetes. We are the meals that keep Northwest Indiana healthy, cared for, and living lives with quality."
When a client receives a visit from the Meals on Wheels volunteer, they are getting more than just food; they also have the opportunity to socialize and have a conversation with someone who cares. For many clients who are entirely homebound, this visit could be the only one-on-one interaction that he or she has in a day. These daily visits give them something to look forward to each day and a reason to continue taking care of themselves.
Finally, each visit comes with a safety check. With a guaranteed daily visit from a volunteer, clients know that they have someone looking out for them. In the case of an emergency, the volunteer will contact medics and family members for assistance.
When the body and mind are supported regularly by nourishment, sincere compassion, and personal independence, the individual’s quality of life improves, they live longer, and they have fewer hospital visits. At Meals on Wheels, it’s all about quality of life, and this is something they deliver on the daily.
To learn more about the Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana services or to become a volunteer, please visit their website.