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About Us
Our Mission

FOUNDED IN 1971, MEALS ON WHEELS OF SARASOTA IS A LOCAL, INDEPENDENT, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION.

Meals On Wheels of Sarasota delivers nutritious meals to persons in need in the Sarasota community who are unable to provide or prepare a meal for themselves in their home. 

Our services are geared toward those with the greatest physical, social and economic need who want to remain independent in their own homes but cannot shop or prepare meals for themselves. All of our clients are mentally or physically challenged due to a variety of conditions, which include heart disease, cancer, vision loss, arthritis, diabetes and more.

A Local Organization

We are a local, community-based non-profit. Meals On Wheels of Sarasota does not accept federal funding. We have the flexibility to meet the needs of the broadest set of neighbors in need.
 
The organization has four full-time and three part-time staff, an active Board of Directors and more than 440 volunteers.

Home-Delivered Meals with a Smile

  • We serve from 160,000 to 180,000 meals yearly.
  • All our meals are delivered by volunteer drivers who are generous Sarasota citizens who want to make difference in their community. All volunteers must have a background check.
  • We do more than deliver meals. Our volunteers not only deliver food, but provide important safety checks. Most times, our volunteer is the only person a client will see during the day.

 

OUR CLIENTELE INCLUDES:

AGES:

  • 15% of our clients in their 30's thru 50's
  • 20% in their 60's
  • 24% in their 70's
  • 25% in their 80's
  • 16% in their 90's and 100's

HEALTH ISSUES
(MAJOR AREAS):

  • Heart 17%
  • Arthritis 15%
  • Diabetes 11%
  • Sight related 10%
  • Mental/Cognitive 10%
  • Lung/pulmonary related 7%
  • Cancer 5%
  • Renal/kidney 5%
  • Other 15%

Meals On Wheels Sarasota History

Founded by local churches and community leaders in 1971, Meals On Wheels of Sarasota expanded on an earlier federal community meal service program in response to the needs of home-bound seniors, veterans, and physically and mentally disabled Sarasotans of all ages in the northern Sarasota County area. 

We delivered our very first meal on December 7, 1971. Since then, we have delivered over 7 million meals, an average of 160,000 meals annually.

Through the years, the number of clients served has increased and the need continues to grow as the population ages. You can help support our mission by volunteering or donating. Please visit our donation or volunteer pages for more information.

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