Volunteering with Meals on Wheels

The most common volunteer job is delivering meals and friendly greetings to homebound seniors. Most typically, this involves picking up meals at a central location and delivering them along a predetermined route directly to the homes of several seniors in your area. Once you’re done, you return the delivery packaging items and get back on your way.

We can set up a volunteer schedule that works with yours. Whether that be once a week, once a month or as needed, just mention your preferences when you connect with your local program.

Local programs typically aim to provide volunteer opportunities that fit within a lunch break of up to an hour and a half.

Fill out the signup form on the Meals on Wheels website, and they'll share your interest with the local Meals on Wheels program in your area. They’ll follow up with you shortly, or you can contact them directly. Their contact information will be provided on the signup confirmation screen and email.

Groups are very welcome. Please mention your interest in volunteering as a group when speaking to your local program.

Yes! Companies or organizations interested in creating group volunteer opportunities in multiple cities can express interest by sending an email to volunteer@mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

In most locations volunteers who deliver meals will drive their own cars. However, in some urban settings, delivery routes can be covered on foot or by using mass transit. Please ask your local Meals on Wheels program about transportation when you are setting up your volunteer assignments.

Typically, recurring volunteers can sign up for a set schedule and delivery route, therefore allowing you to visit the same seniors on a regular basis. However, there is often a need to fill in open volunteer slots or to volunteer on different schedules which could result in serving different clients on different days.

That largely depends on the distance between deliveries. Volunteers in more rural settings typically see fewer clients in a single volunteer shift, while those in urban areas can visit quickly with multiple clients living in close proximity to each other.

Schedules are typically flexible with appropriate notice. Once you’re connected with your local Meals on Wheels program, you’ll be able to work directly with them to manage your volunteer schedule.