Donors FAQs
Who is eligible for home-delivered meals?
How many clients do you serve?
What are some of the benefits of Meals on Wheels’ services?
How will my donation improve the lives of people in the Salinas Valley?
What impact will my gift have?
Is Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley a government agency?
How is Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley funded?
How is Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley staffed?
Do you have to be low-income to receive meals?
How much do you charge for the home-delivered meals?
Who is eligible for home-delivered meals?
Seniors, 60 years of age and older, who live in the Salinas Valley and cannot shop or cook for themselves are eligible for our meals. We deliver meals to the homes of people who need long-term help as well as those who need meals temporarily, such as those who may be recovering from a recent injury or surgery.
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How many clients do you serve?
We deliver meals to roughly 200 people each week – about 140 clients in Salinas and 60 in the rural areas. In a year we deliver meals to the homes of approximately 450 clients. We provide frozen main meals that are designed to meet the nutritional needs of seniors. Meals are easily heated in a microwave oven.
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What are some of the benefits of Meals on Wheels services?
- Home-delivered meals are a preventive health program that has a strong return on investment. Our nutritious meals keep seniors healthy, independent, at home, and out of expensive nursing homes.
- Elderly individuals who can no longer drive their cars safely, frail seniors who are unable to cook for themselves, seniors with disabilities, homebound seniors who need assistance but don’t qualify for or can’t afford a caregiver, and seniors who need temporary assistance after discharge from the hospital or because of medical treatment, illness, or injury all benefit from home-delivered meals.
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How will my donation improve the lives of people in the Salinas Valley?
- Your donation assures homebound seniors have enough food to eat.
- Your donation helps us serve every frail senior who needs our meals.
- Your donation assures that nutritious meals are delivered to the homes of some of the most vulnerable and “invisible” members of this community.
- All donations help people who live in the Salinas Valley.
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What impact will my gift have?
- Your gift helps seniors from all walks of life. You’re helping nurses, teachers, veterans, truck drivers and farm workers – people who have worked hard all their lives and now need a help from us to make sure they have enough to eat.
- With regular meals, you’re helping to prevent health problems that could lead to costly hospital stays.
- You’re helping seniors lead independent lives, staying in their own homes for as long as possible and preventing placement in expensive nursing homes.
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Is Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley a government agency?
No. We’re a small, independent, non-profit agency. We are not part of a national organization. We’re incorporated as a 501 (c) 3 agency run by a 9-12 member volunteer Board of Directors, who are elected at the annual meeting held each year in July. We were founded in 1972 and incorporated in 1985.
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How is Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley funded?
Funding for Meals on Wheels comes from a variety of sources. Through a contract with the Monterey County Area Agency on Aging, we receive reimbursement for meals provided to seniors that covers about a third of our costs. Client donations are about 10% of our income. We raise more than half our income through foundation, corporate and government grants; donations from individuals, businesses, service clubs and other community based organizations; special fundraising events; and investments.
All donations stay with us and help local seniors. Only with financial support from this community are we able to provide nutritious, home-delivered meals to all eligible seniors who request them.
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How is Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley staffed?
The staff consists of seven employees. Full-time staff includes the Executive Director, Outreach Director, Finance/Operations Manager, Program Coordinator and Program Administrator; part-time staff includes the Program Assistant and Data/Eligibility Analyst. The majority of meal deliveries are done by volunteers, which keeps operating expenses low.
We have about 125 active volunteers who deliver meals and serve on the Board of Directors.
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Where do you deliver meals?
We serve the entire Salinas Valley – from Pajaro and Aromas in the north to San Ardo and Bradley in the south. Our territory includes Moss Landing, Castroville, Prunedale and areas east of Laureles Grade. We deliver meals to clients living in Salinas, in rural unincorporated areas of Monterey County, and in the small cities of the valley.
Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula, a separate organization, serves the peninsula communities.
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Do you have to be low-income to receive meals?
No. We provide home-delivered meals to people of ALL income levels.
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How much do you charge for the home-delivered meals?
- We don’t charge a set fee or price for our meals. We are a non-profit agency so we do ask clients for a donation to help our program, so we can serve all seniors who need home-delivered meals.
- Seniors set the amount of their donation, which is voluntary.
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