*This is a special feature from the City of San Jose, Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services 

“The people from Meals on Wheels are incredibly caring and kind,” said a senior resident of San José who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity.

“Many of us, 100%, depend on these meals – I have friends who are on the program as well.”

Meals on Wheels is a meal delivery program that provides meals for homebound seniors, 60 years or older, and at-risk residents, but as food insecurity continues to affect our most vulnerable populations, one local organization has seen it all.  

Meals on Wheels provides shelf-stable foods and heatable meals that are safely delivered to the doorsteps of homebound seniors and at-risk residents. Photo courtesy of Meals on Wheels.

Since 1973, Sourcewise has coordinated services through a network of state and local organizations to provide community resources, county services and access to information— all under one umbrella.

Sourcewise connects residents in need of food assistance with programs like Meals on Wheels in a citywide effort to provide resources and services to impacted communities.

The Meals on Wheels program of Sourcewise is one of 5,000 community-based services in the country, providing homebound seniors with access to nutritious meals, regardless of their economic status.

Just last week, 1.6 million meals were distributed in the City of San José and meal delivery programs are continuing to provide well-needed meals for homebound seniors.

“The meals are delicious and very healthy, and I for one am so grateful and look forward to when I receive them,” said our interviewee over email.

“You all are a blessing to us.”

Meal service delivery is available to homebound individuals who are 60 years of age or older; who - due to illness or disability - are unable to purchase food or cook meals for themselves; and who do not have someone who can purchase food or cook meals for them on a consistent basis. Photo courtesy of Sourcewise. 

From community-based organizations (CBOs) to nonprofits, meal deliveries are helping seniors maintain healthy nutrition amidst a year-long homebound spell.

On average, the Meals on Wheels program in San José is providing over 9,000 weekly meals and groceries for at-risk populations through CBOs and food banks like Second Harvest Food Bank.

"We value the opportunity to provide access to nutrition programs for those negatively impacted by COVID-19 through the San José Together Meals on Wheels and other nutrition programs available at Sourcewise," says Vienna Lai, Emergency Nutrition Program Supervisor for Sourcewise.

Since expanding the San José Together Meals on Wheels (SJTMoW) program back in November, meal deliveries have remained consistent, while targeting impacted communities that are growing increasingly challenged with accessing nutritious meals.

According to City food dashboard data, 2,840 meals are delivered daily to homebound seniors in San José last week, with 14,201 meals each week.  

Meals are often packaged and sent out for delivery at central distribution locations in the City of San José. To find out if you are eligible for Meals on Wheels, visit www.mysourcewise.com for more information. Photo taken by John Ryan Amayun.  

As recipients of the City of San José’s Collective Impact Grant, Sourcewise has been able to expand services and resources to help vulnerable seniors access the help they need.

The SJTMoW program continues to make a difference in the community while increasing food distribution efforts through meal delivery.

Residents in need of food assistance can access resources and services by visiting www.mysourcewise.com/meals. Residents in need of food assistance services can call 211, (408) 350-3200, option 4 and visit www.SiliconValleyStrong.org to sign up today.

To find out how you can access food resources in your neighborhood, please visit bit.ly/SCCFoodMap. You can also visit siliconvalleystrong.org, call 2-1-1, a 24-hour multilingual service or text your zip code to "898211".