Mobile Meals of Salem, Inc.

Overview

Mobile Meals of Salem, Inc. began over forty years ago when members of several area churches saw the need for home delivered meals for seniors and people with disabilities and organized the program. The service area includes the city of Salem and Perry Township. People living outside the service area are referred to other programs. There is a cost to the client for the meals and they are billed one month in advance.

While there have been many changes over this time, the reliance on a dedicated group of volunteers to deliver the meals and the Salem Regional Medical Center Nutrition department to prepare the meals has remained a constant.

Meals Overview

Meals are delivered five days a week, Monday through Friday. There are four types of meals offered to the clients, Regular, Diabetic, No Added Salt, and Diabetic No Added Salt. The menus are prepared by a licensed dietician. Each day of the week offers different foods and every week the menu changes. There are several different menus, which cycle weekly for up to six months.

Volunteer Overview

Volunteers are assigned between two and four days a month, generally for the same day and route. Monthly schedules will be prepared and distributed one week before the month it becomes effective. Two volunteers are assigned to each route, when possible. Routes generally can be completed within one hour.

Client Comments

"At our point of life, it's hard to cook everyday. The food is good and probably better for us than what we would be eating. Delivery is prompt and the volunteers are very nice."

"The meals are wonderful, so much variety! What I enjoy most are the volunteers and their visits. I really miss them on the weekends."

"I am a diabetic and it is such a help to have the healthy choices - all without the shopping and meal preparation!"

"The meals are good. The volunteers are very pleasant, and it is so convenient to have the meals delivered right to the door!"

"The food is delicious. I love the fruits and vegetables. It makes a difference to have something different every day. The volunteers are great; always have a smile and a cheery greeting! It has made my life so much better. When you're 87, some days you just don't feel like cooking!"