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History

History

Let's start at the beginning...

The concept of Meals on Wheels originated in Great Britain following the Blitz in 1939 when the Women’s Volunteer Service for Civil Defense began serving food to the ill and elderly who were unable to care for themselves.

An early form of Meals on Wheels originated in Indianapolis in the 1960s as a Little Red Door Cancer Agency program, serving meals by truck, only to cancer patients. This project had to be discontinued due to a lack of clients and the expense involved in delivery.

The National Council of Jewish Women, as a National project, sponsored a “home-delivered” food program with the Indianapolis Section doing the pilot study. This pilot study was executed and directed by volunteers. The food was prepared by the Borinstein Home for the Aged, but with the completion of Hooverwood, many of the clients moved into this new and modern nursing center. At that time, it was not planned to discontinue the program but only postpone it until there was a greater need and demand.

“The Meals on Wheels program began in 1968 as a special project of the National Council of Jewish Women to provide kosher meals to persons unable to shop and prepare their own meals.” Here in Indianapolis “it became a city-wide project in 1971 receiving its funding from the Commission on Aged and Aging and a grant from Lilly Endowment.”
– The Jewish Post and Opinion. Friday, December 28, 1973

Portrait of Mrs. Marge L. Jacobs which resides at The Sol Center.

On March 4, 1971, Meals on Wheels started with six clients and ten volunteers and worked out of University Heights Hospital. With the success, experience and leadership of the National Council of Jewish Women, Technical and Managerial Services (TAMS) assisted in co-sponsoring a new city-wide program, now known as Meals on Wheels, Inc. A number of members of the TAMS Board of Directors became actively involved on the board of Meals on Wheels and made important contributions to the early growth of the program.

Mrs. Marge L. Jacobs served as the first president of the board of directors and chair of the Meals on Wheels program. She was the honorary chair until her death in 1997.

Food Facilities Early On

University Heights Hospital
3/4/1971

Americana Nursing Center, East
6/20/1971

Turtle Creek Convalescent Center, SE
5/21/1973

Methodist Hospital
10/4/1971

Americana Nursing Center, Midtown
7/17/1972

Community Hospital
9/11/1972

Turtle Creek Convalescent Center, South
9/18/1972

Hoosier Village Health Center
9/10/1973

Turtle Creek Convalescent Center, Ritter
11/19/1973

Timeline Highlights

2024

The NO Limits to Recovery program begins. Funding from the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation establishes the NO Limits to Recovery program.

2020

Meals on Wheels is able to continue serving throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Gloved-up and masked, we delivered vital meals at a time when they were needed most by our chronically-ill, homebound, and elderly neighbors.

2018

The Ryan’s Meals for Life program begins. Serving individuals living with HIV/AIDS throughout the state of Indiana.

2017

The EMBRACE program begins. Meals on Wheels partners with Eskenazi Health and their EMBRACE team to provide medically tailored meals for cancer patients at no charge.

May 27, 2014

Celebrated the delivery of the 7 millionth meal to husband and wife, Melvin and Virginia.

2012

MOWCI moves into The Sol Center at 708 E. Michigan St.

July 22, 2009

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels delivered the six millionth meal.

March 20, 2006

Meals on Wheels, Inc. expands its name to Meals on Wheels of Central Indiana, inc. to reflect the growing need for delivery service to rural areas.

October 21, 2003

Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson delivered the five millionth meal.

July 28, 1999

First Lady of Indiana Judy O’Bannon delivered the four millionth meal.

1995

Our first annual Bingo Bash is held at the Irsay Barn in Carmel.

April 19, 1983

One millionth meal was delivered.

Feb. 1975

226,000 single meals to 1,300 clients, with a current corps of over 1,000 volunteers.

Dec. 31, 1973

131,110 single meals to 821 clients from 9 food facilities, with a current corps of 450 volunteers.

1973

Awarded the Community Service Council of Metropolitan Indianapolis Agency Award for the year.

1972

Funding from the Indiana Commission on Aged and Aging ($10,000), Lilly Endowment ($3,300) and Community Action Against Poverty ($1,000).

Meals on Wheels of Central Indiana educates, innovates, and advocates for our vulnerable neighbors by delivering medically tailored, nourishing, and culturally appropriate food while promoting social connectedness.

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Contact Us

  • p: (317) 252-5558
    f: (317) 252-5559
  • 708 E. Michigan Street
    Indianapolis, IN 46202
  • info@mealsonwheelsindy.org
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