Frequently Asked Questions
What will I receive?
A freshly prepared (not frozen), nutritious meal Monday through Friday, delivered by a friendly Meals on Wheels volunteer. The meals we deliver provide one-third of your daily nutritional needs. A typical hot meal would include a meat entrée, starch, vegetable, beverage, whole grain bread, and fruit or dessert. A typical deli meal would likely include a tuna or chicken salad scoop, a side salad, crackers, beverage, and fruit or dessert. (Meals are placed in disposable containers that can be heated in a microwave.) Please refer to the menu for specific information on each meal.
What about special diets?
Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches provides a no additional salt added, rotating 4 week menu. Substitutions or special diets currently cannot be accommodated.
Who is eligible?
Our service is available to those who are primarily housebound, living alone, and who are either unable or have difficulty shopping for food and cooking for themselves. We also serve senior caregivers where one person has assumed responsibility for the daily care of their spouse or partner. The service can be long- term or temporary as you recover from a hospital stay or illness. One month is the minimum length of service we provide.
How does it work?
Once qualified on the phone, we will schedule a home visit to enroll the eligible person. Required information includes full name, birth date, telephone number, address, doctor’s name and phone number, emergency contact’s name, address, phone number, income/asset confirmation for subsidized meals. We will ask for payment for the first month of meal service at the time of enrollment.
What is the cost?
The full cost is $7.00 per meal, however financial assistance is available which will bring the cost of the meal down. Most people will qualify for some financial assistance and easily fit the cost into their current food budget. Some clients tell us they save money because the meal we provide cost less than what they spend at the grocery store for the same amount of food.
How soon will it start?
New client service will normally start the following Monday after our home visit. Occasionally there may be a waiting list in certain areas, and we will contact you when service can begin.
How long may I receive meal delivery?
Once you are enrolled as a client you may continue receiving meals as long as you remain eligible.
When are meals delivered?
The volunteer will normally arrive between 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. We cannot guarantee delivery times and the time of arrival may vary from day to day between 10:30 and 1:00 pm. If the meal has not arrived by 1:00 pm – then please contact the office to advise us.
What if I will not be home at delivery time?
Eligibility requires that you are home to receive the meals unless there is a Doctor’s or similar appointment. In that case, please call the office so we can arrange for an additional meal to be delivered earlier that week.
What if I need to take medication with food?
To avoid medical emergencies, please do not wait until your meals arrive if you need to take medication on a timely basis. Eat a light snack and take your medication on schedule. Consult your physician about what snacks are appropriate for you.
When is payment due?
Payment is required at time of enrollment for the first month. After that you will receive a monthly invoice at the beginning of each month for the previous months’ service. If payment is not received by the end of the month, we will follow up with you by letter or phone. Payments must remain current to avoid interruption in meal service. Our volunteers do not accept payments nor do they have any information about invoices. Please remember if you cancel the service that there will be one additional invoice due for meals already delivered.
Do you keep my information confidential?
The volunteers and employees of Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches must abide by strict standards of confidentiality. They are expected to behave in ethical, diplomatic and discreet ways regarding the sharing of information within Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches. All information about you and your family is considered confidential. If you have any questions or concerns about confidentiality in a particular situation, it is important to discuss it with the Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches.
How do I cancel meal delivery?
Please call us at (561) 802-6979 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to cancel delivery for a day or other time period. We require a 48 hour notice for meal cancellations. We do not charge for meals cancelled with a 48 hour cancellation. Emergencies are, of course, an exception.
What days don’t you deliver?
Meal service is not provided on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, day after Christmas, or New Years’ Day. In addition, in cases of severe weather such as thunderstorms, possible flood conditions, tornado or hurricane watches, meal delivery may be cancelled to protect the safety of our volunteers. In the event of cancellation - you will receive a telephone call from an automated service advising you.
How is Meals on Wheels funded?
Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches is a private 501©3, tax-exempt non-profit organization. We depend solely upon financial support from generous local foundations, individuals and businesses as well as the contributions from our clients to support our mission. We are not affiliated with any government program and receive no Federal, State or local government funding.
