Meals by Wheels: Driven to meet the needs of our community

A hot meal and a warm smile are delivered by the Meals by Wheels program five days a week. Offered to individuals 60 and older that are homebound or recovering from a medical procedure, the program supports the health and wellness of our locals.

Nutrition Services, Inc. is a non-profit that operates the Meals-by-Wheels program. Perham Living contracts with Nutrition Services Inc. to provide meals, specifically for New York Mills congregate dining, Perham congregate dining, and Perham area Meals by Wheels.

Meals by Wheels is a low-cost option for delivered, prepared meals in the city of Perham. An option for residents outside of Perham is to pick up the meals personally or by a family member or friend at a designated time. Meals cost $7.00 each and, for specific instances, are covered under insurance. Check with your insurance carrier for more information.

The menu is on a five-week cycle and is well-liked for the food variety. Meals are either hot and ready to eat or frozen, needing to be heated in a microwave or oven. Presented in an oven-safe container, the filling meals can be reheated if not eaten in one sitting. Participants can pick what days, Monday through Friday, and how many days of the week they receive the meals. Drop-off time is between 11:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Also, the nutritional team knows about allergies and the general likes and dislikes of those receiving the meals. Weekly meal schedules are in the Perham and New York Mills newspapers.

The dedicated three-person kitchen staff for Meals by Wheels is quick and accurate in cooking and labeling for each participant. The process has become more efficient over the years, along with the ability to serve more locals. Furthermore, they create tasty menus that meet Minnesota State Guidelines for healthy meals.

If you are interested in receiving meals, please contact Karen Mitchell, dietary food supervisor, at 218-347-1558. She will visit with you and review the application, which can be emailed or mailed.

A warm hello several times over

“It’s the best time of the day,” a gentleman replies as he accepts the hot meal. The fifth stop of 13 drop-offs that Nancy Morris had today is hungry and excited to see her. Delivering meals hot is much easier with the help of hot and cold bag coolers.

Nancy is a retired Perham Living cafeteria worker previously coordinating the Meals by Wheels program. She makes small talk with those she visits and quickly heads off to the next house, apartment, or duplex. Volunteers deliver meals within the city of Perham. Happy to see her people at each stop and their pets, Nancy comes to know them by name. “We’re put here to help out people,” she says at the twelfth stop, where she brings in one woman’s mail. “If there were no volunteers, there would be no program. Besides, we may need it someday.”

Nancy’s trip around town takes about an hour, starting at 11:15 a.m. She is one of seven volunteers delivering Monday through Friday. Nancy generally delivers one day a week but will sub when needed. An average of 28-35 meals are delivered daily to individuals’ homes. Volunteer routes contain 5-13 stops. A handful of subs are available, although Perham Living always welcomes more volunteers.

To become a volunteer delivery driver for Meals by Wheels, please contact Karen Mitchell, Perham Living Nutrition Team Supervisor at 218-347-1558.