FAQ

Who Can Receive Meals On Wheels?

Adults 18 and over must:

• Live in Lehigh County
• Be able to accept meals at delivery time
• Be unable to prepare nutritious meals because of advanced age or physical or mental limitations
• Live alone or have no consistent or reliable help preparing meals during the day
• Be primarily homebound

How does someone apply?

In all cases, a referral must be made to our office by either fax or phone. The referral process takes approximately 10 minutes. All information listed on the referral form must be completed. Specific diagnosis regarding medical conditions is critical since the more information that is given, the better understanding we have regarding the recipient’s limitations and conditions.

Who can make a referral?

It does not matter who calls our office as long as they have the information about the prospective client and that person has agreed to the service. We receive referrals from prospective clients, a family member or friend, discharge planners, social workers, doctors, nurses, home health aides and neighbors.

Will someone visit the home of the person needing service?

Yes, a Meals on Wheels caseworker will visit the home to complete the remainder of the application, explain the service and establish the fee. Our caseworkers can be helpful in providing information about other community services that will aid in the independence of the people we serve.

Is there a cost for the meals?

Every client pays a fee that is based on a sliding scale according to income and expenses. Our caseworker will set the fee at the initial home visit after reviewing income and basic living expenses to make sure the service will be affordable. We accept cash, money orders,credit cards and and/or SNAP benefits for payment.

What types of meals are delivered?

Two meal program – Hot tray consisting of an entrée, starch, vegetables plus a cold bag lunch that contains bread, lunchmeat or meat salad for a sandwich, milk, vegetable or pasta salad, fruit cup and/or dessert, fresh fruit.

Hot meal only – Hot tray plus milk/bread and dessert or fruit cup.

Weekend Meals – Two frozen hot meal trays are delivered on Thursdays.

Additional Meals:
Holidays - Meals on Wheels of Lehigh County delivers on Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are no deliveries on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day and the Friday after Thanksgiving. Clients will receive a frozen meal for those days.

Blizzard Bag Deliveries – Shelf-stable meals are provided, free of charge, in the fall of each year for our clients to use in the event meal deliveries are cancelled because of bad weather. These meals consist of canned goods and dried foods. They are replaced as needed.

What types of diets are provided?

We provide four diets including regular, diabetic, soft, renal and pureed. We can also accommodate a number of special diet needs or food allergies by making a substitution for a menu item.

When and how are the meals delivered?

All of the meals are delivered by trained Meals on Wheels volunteers. Meals are delivered weekdays at lunchtime. Meals are delivered between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.

Once someone is referred to Meals on Wheels, how long does it take to receive the first meal?

We can usually begin service within a few days after our caseworker’s visit.

Grocery Shopping Service

Our clients who receive home delivered meals and others in the community who can cook, but have difficulty shopping are eligible for this service. We link a volunteer with a client who will shop on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis. The fee for this service is $5.00 per trip.

Pet Food Program

Dog and cat food can be delivered, free of charge, to Meals on Wheels clients who have pets.

Questions or to make a referral

If you should have any further questions or would like to refer someone to our program, please call 610-398-2563, fax 610-398-7088 or e-mail dbloom@mealsonwheelslc.org