Through the RMFL program, MOWCI provides medically tailored hot and cold meals, frozen meals, and pantry boxes to Ryan White Part B eligible individuals living with HIV in the state of Indiana. This program is funded by the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH). Services provided to Marion County and statewide.
HISTORY
Five years ago, Meals on Wheels of Central Indiana joined the Food is Medicine Coalition, a group of direct providers of Medically-Tailored Meals, focusing on taking care of people struggling with chronic disease.
The Food is Medicine Coalition started as a resource for people battling HIV & AIDS when medication was not effective and food was almost the only option. This was in the 1980s. The correct food became a substantial partner to the new more effective medications of the 1990s to today. Since then, the Food is Medicine movement has expanded to serve over 200 chronic diseases with astounding results.
And although our partner organizations have services focused on meal programs for Persons Living with HIV, Indiana has never had any such coordinated efforts.
In the spring of 2017, we were approached by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) to design a Medical Nutrition Therapy program for people living with HIV throughout the whole state of Indiana. ISDH was in the process of applying for a Ryan White Part B Supplemental Grant, a federal fund named after our own fellow Hoosier Ryan White who tragically lost his battle to AIDS in 1990.
Meals on Wheels also initiated Ryan White Part A funding, which covers HIV + Hoosiers in the Indianapolis Transitional Grant Area.
We are very excited about these two new grant projects and look forward to updating you as they move forward. With all your support we will continue to move ahead and end poverty, one meal & one chronic disease at a time!