Meals on Wheels of Northeast Ohio
At the core, Meals on Wheels provides a nutritious meal, companionship, and a watchful eye on the health and safety of seniors. We are committed to supporting seniors to live healthier and more nourished lives in their homes in Stark, Summit, Wayne, Portage, Carroll, Holmes, and Tuscarawas Counties.
Home-delivered Meals
Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious, freshly made meals right to your doorstep. The service is an ideal choice for seniors, people with disabilities, and individuals recently released from the hospital.
Home-delivered meals promote wellness in those at risk of facing hunger and reduce the risk of hospital re-admissions, malnutrition, and loneliness.
Whether you use our services on a short or long-term basis, you can enjoy all of the ways VANTAGE delivers more than just a meal.
Nutritious Meals
You cannot live an independent life if you are hungry. Meals on Wheels supports your nutritional needs so that you can remain happy and healthy at home.
With nutritious meals, you can improve your health, sharpen your mind, and manage chronic illnesses. Gain access to nutritious, ready-to-eat or heat meals even when support, mobility, or resources are lacking.
Friendly Visits
Our trusted volunteers and staff members bring a meal and a smile with each delivery. For many, the delivery person is the only individual our clients talk to all day. Meals on Wheels visits provide something to look forward to and the opportunity to socialize.
Safety Checks
Meals on Wheels drivers provide a safety check during each visit. They look for changes in the person’s behavior and environment and know to alert medics, professionals, and family members when something is wrong. Have peace of mind knowing you or your loved one has someone watching out.
Wheels for Wags
We want to keep clients and their pets together and healthy. That’s why we provide free pet food for animals in your home. Ask us about the Wheels for Wags program.
What You Can Expect
VANTAGE’s Meals on Wheels is not just any meal delivery program. Ensuring no senior is left hungry and alone is our priority.
No matter your age, income, or disability, we will make sure that you receive nutritious meals and a friendly visit when you need them.
Eligibility
Meals on Wheels focuses on delivering meals to those who have a hard time shopping for food, preparing meals, or getting out to socialize with others. We serve seniors and people with disabilities of all ages.
There are no eligibility requirements for Meals on Wheels. Anyone can receive services. Pricing varies depending on your income and other factors. You may be eligible to receive meals through funding. Contact our office for your personalized plan.
How to Pay
Our staff assists with your individual needs based on a personal interview and assessment. Meals are provided on a sliding fee scale, from no cost (we ask for a small donation) to full price. You can see all of the payment options on Our Services page.
Additional Services
At VANTAGE, our goal is to provide wraparound services to our clients to be sure they are receiving all of the support they need. Becoming a client of Meals on Wheels provides you with access to other services for aging in place.
Additional services include Home Wellness Solutions for non-medical care in your home, access to the RSVP TeleCare phone a friend program to prevent social isolation, and counseling from our Behavioral Health Solutions team (Summit County only).
How to Get Started
Getting nutritious, delicious Meals on Wheels is easy! Simply contact us at 330-515-5605 or referrals@vantageaging.org to let us know you are interested. Or, fill out this online form.
Community Partnerships
Governed by community advocates serving on our Board of Directors, Meals on Wheels of Northeast Ohio has established relationships with multiple community partners across the three-county service area, including:
- Local hospitals
- The Timken Company
- AEP
- Wooster Chamber of Commerce
- Medina Chamber of Commerce
- Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce
- Summit County Department of Job and Family Services-Adult Protective Services
- Akron Public Schools
- University of Akron
- Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
- Direction Home Akron-Canton Area on Aging & Disabilities
- Stark County Healthcare Professionals
Our History
Effective January 1, 2019, Meals on Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties and VANTAGE Meals on Wheels of Northern Ohio merged to form Meals on Wheels of Northeast Ohio. Announced on October 1, 2018, the merger allows more seniors to receive nutritious meals in a three-county service area to support their health and ability to age-in-place.
Meals on Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties has been serving homebound and nutritionally at-risk individuals across the two-county area located in Northeast Ohio for 45 years. Established in 1973 as a senior meal program called The Stark Nutrition Program, founders included Canton Mayor Stanley A. Cmich, business leader William Belden, Jr., and community leader Jane Schirack. Initially, a direct service of United Way of Central Stark County, the nonprofit became an independent agency in 1991.
Meals on Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties started as a catered company serving 435 seniors per day through satellite nutrition sites in Stark & Wayne counties. In 1997, the agency expanded and opened its own commissary, unique to this area and specifically designed to meet our community’s needs. Over the past 45 years, more than 13 million meals were prepared and delivered to clients by thousands of community volunteers.
Meals on Wheels of Northern Ohio formed in 1984 as a nutrition program designed to support older adults. Originally serving a hot lunch daily, as the need to serve more people grew, so did service offerings. Eventually, the program grew from serving 5,000 meals a year to delivering over 250,000 frozen meals to over 800 homebound and feeding another 250 congregate dining clients every day.
Together, the merged Meals on Wheels program will continue to serve the three contiguous counties and estimates delivery of nearly 600,000 meals each year to the homes of seniors and disabled residents while another 48,000 congregate meals will be provided.