Meals on Wheels expands veteran's cafe and home delivery services in Rhode Island

The Budget Commission Regular Meeting held by the Charlestown Town Council on February 21, 2025, focused on various community service initiatives, with a significant emphasis on the Meals on Wheels program. The meeting began with an overview of the program's history and mission, which has been serving the nutritional and social needs of Rhode Island residents since 1969.

The representative from Meals on Wheels highlighted that their most recognized service is the home-delivered meal program, which caters primarily to homebound older adults, accounting for approximately 90% of their service. In 2024, the program reported serving 17 clients in Charlestown, delivering over 4,054 meals. The meals are dispatched from the Charlestown Senior Center, utilizing two routes operated by dedicated volunteers.

In addition to the home-delivered meals, the organization also offers congregate dining options, primarily in the Providence area, and has recently launched a veteran's café in Woonsocket and Warwick, with plans for future expansion. The representative noted the importance of community support, mentioning an on-site food pantry at their headquarters that assists clients with additional food needs, including pet food, and a senior wish program that provides winter essentials during the holidays.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the program's reliance on volunteers and community involvement, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to meet the needs of Charlestown's residents. The council expressed support for the Meals on Wheels initiative, recognizing its vital role in the community.