FAQs

What Meals on Wheels offers is simple, yet extremely important: well-rounded meals delivered to your home along with a visit from a friendly volunteer. When you sign up for Meals on Wheels, you’ll get the healthy foods you want with convenient delivery and menu options that allow you to live independently in your own home. See a sample menu.

FAQs for Clients and Caregivers

How do I sign up for meals?

Signing up for meals is easy! Enroll online today or call us at (612) 623-3363 to start meal delivery service. Our friendly staff will be happy to help you if you have additional questions.

Who is eligible to receive Meals on Wheels?

Whether you want the convenience of healthy and ready-to-eat meals delivered to your home, or are unable to prepare nutritious meals for yourself, you can receive meals from Meals on Wheels! Meals are available both on a long-term basis and temporarily if you are recovering from surgery or illness.

What are the meals like? Can I see a sample menu?

All meals are prepared fresh without preservatives and made locally. Each meal features healthy portions including an entrée, vegetable, bread or grain, fruit or dessert and a beverage. Here's a sample menu.

How much do meals cost? Is financial assistance available?

Meals on Wheels provides excellent value for what you receive – a freshly prepared, ready-to-eat meal delivered right to your door. While we ask for a modest contribution toward your meals, the price is based on need. Meals may be authorized as part of Minnesota's home- and community-based services Medicaid waiver program, and other subsidy programs can also help cover the cost of meal delivery service. If you have questions about funding options for your clients, call us at (612) 623-3363.

Are diabetic and other diet-specific meal options available?

Meals on Wheels happily offers low-sugar, low-sodium meal options, as well as vegetarian options. Simply specify your dietary needs when you sign up for meals.

What are your delivery options? Are frozen meals available?

In addition to regular hot meal deliver Monday through Friday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., we also offer weekly frozen meal delivery if it’s more convenient for you. If you’d like meals for weekends or holidays, additional frozen meals can be delivered during the week.

Are culturally specific meals available?

Kosher, Somali/Halal meals and other culturally specific meal options are available in many areas. You can specify cultural meal preferences when you sign up for meals online or when you call us at 612-623-3363.

FAQs For Professionals

How do I enroll my client?

Enrolling your client for home meal delivery is easy! Get started by completing our online form or by calling us at (612) 623-3363. Our friendly staff will be happy to help you if you have additional questions about meal delivery service, dietary requirements, delivery schedules and payment options.

How do I determine if my client is eligible receive Meals on Wheels?

Generally, if someone is unable to regularly prepare nutritious meals for themselves or cannot afford to purchase healthy food, they are eligible for home-delivered meals. Meals are available both on a long-term basis and temporarily for people who are recovering from surgery or an illness. If you have a question about whether your client is eligible, give us a call at (612) 623-3363 or email us.

What comes in a meal? Can I see a sample menu?

Each meal features healthy portions including an entrée, vegetable, bread or grain, fruit or dessert and a beverage. All meals are prepared fresh without preservatives and made in local kitchens. View a sample menu or request a tasting.

Are meals dietitian reviewed?

Yes! Menus are reviewed by a registered dietitian to ensure they meet recommended daily nutrition allowances.

How much do meals cost? Is financial assistance available for my client?

Meals on Wheels provides excellent value for what you receive – a freshly prepared, ready-to-eat meal delivered right to your door. While we ask for a modest contribution toward your meals, the price is based on need. Meals may be authorized as part of home- and community-based waivered services through Medicaid waivers, and other subsidy programs can also help cover the cost of meal delivery service. If you have questions about funding options for your clients, call us at (612) 623-3363.

Are diabetic and other diet-specific meal options available?

Meals on Wheels happily offers low-sugar, low-sodium meal options, as well as vegetarian options. Simply specify your client’s dietary needs when you enroll them for service.

Are culturally specific meals available?

Kosher, Somali/Halal meals and other culturally specific meal options are available in many areas. You can specify cultural meal preferences when you complete the online meal delivery form or when you call us at 612-623-3363.

What are the delivery options? Are frozen meals available?

In addition to regular hot meal delivery Monday through Friday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., we also offer weekly frozen meal delivery. Additional frozen meals can be delivered during the week for use during weekends or holidays.

Do you have any resources I can share with my clients?

Yes! You can request brochures to be sent to you. We also have a number of other resources for care professionals available.

FAQs for Family Volunteers

Will our family have the same route each time we deliver meals?

Your family can request to have the same route each time you volunteer to deliver meals and the program coordinator will do their best to accommodate your request. Keeping the same route is a great way to build relationships with recipients, which is a nice benefit for your family.

I'm worried about getting my kids in and out of their car seats. Are there ways to make this easier?

Many programs offer delivery opportunities that are all inside one apartment building. That way, getting your child in and out of a car seat won’t be an issue. If you have questions about this, contact us at [email protected]or call (612) 623-3363.

My kids are in school during the week. Can we still deliver meals together?

Absolutely! One idea is to deliver the meals yourself when they’re in school, and then talk about your experiences with your children. Then you’ll be able to take them along during the summer or when they have school breaks.

What's the youngest age child you would recommend bringing along on a delivery route?

If you’re the only adult, you might want to wait until your child can get out of the car and walk to the door unaided. However, if you and another parent deliver together, you can take turns going to the door with your child or children, no matter what their ages.

Can we deliver meals with another family?

Yes! This works especially well for families with really young children who aren’t yet able to walk. You and another parent can then take turns going to the door.

How can my family make the most of this volunteer experience?

We've compiled a handbook on how to get the most out of your family’s meal delivery experience. Here you can find practical advice for delivering, guidance for preparing your children for the experience, and exercises for reflection after you’ve delivered meals. Delivering meals can be a great educational and bonding activity for families.

Are there other volunteer opportunities for families besides delivering meals?

Yes! Delivering meals is our biggest volunteer need, but we offer many other ways to get involved. Check out these fun and easy ways for your family get involved with Meals on Wheels.

FAQs for Individual Volunteers

How do I sign up to volunteer for Meals on Wheels?

fill out the online volunteer form or call us at (612) 623-3363 and we will refer you to your local program.

How does a typical volunteer delivery shift work?

Volunteers drive to the program site, pick up 8-10 meals stored in easy-to-carry thermal packs, and deliver them to residences using a route designed by the program. You will receive detailed driving and delivery directions – no preparation is necessary. Once your route is finished, you will return the supplies to the program site.

How long does it take to deliver meals?

Delivery routes are designed to take no longer than one hour. For most people, it’s easy to deliver meals during the lunch hour.

When are meals delivered?

Meals are generally delivered between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

How often will I deliver meals?

As often as you would like! Many of our volunteers choose one day a week or one day a month to deliver meals. Commit to a frequency you are comfortable with, and you can always decide to deliver more often in the future.

Can I volunteer with a friend or with a group?

Yes! Delivering meals is a great social activity that you can do with a friend or a larger group. It’s also common for church, social or workplace groups to organize delivery teams. Learn more about how to start a Workplace Delivery Team.

Will another volunteer come with me on my route?

Even if you are volunteering alone, you can request to be paired with another volunteer for your route. If you’re a new volunteer, it can be helpful to go with someone who has delivered before.

Is there a delivery center near where I live or work?

With 35 delivery locations throughout the Twin Cities area, chances are there’s a program that’s close to your home or work.

What happens during each delivery?

Volunteers bring the meal to each recipient’s door. Part of the fun of delivering is visiting with recipients but it is important to keep visits brief enough for you to complete your route on time. If you find that your recipient needs additional help, you can contact your program coordinator.

Are there opportunities besides delivering meals?

While finding volunteers to fill delivery routes is our biggest need, there are other ways to get involved. Here’s a list of our other volunteer opportunities.

FAQs for Workplace Volunteers

How much time will I spend delivering meals?

Your route will involve about one hour of delivery time plus your time traveling to and from the meal pickup site.

How many people does it take to start a Workplace Delivery Team?

It only takes two to start! Workplace Delivery Teams may vary in size from two to 200 and you can add new employee volunteers at any time.

How often do teams deliver meals?

However often you would like—once a month, every other week, or every week! You might decide to start delivering once a month and deliver more if your schedule allows. We’ll work with you to establish a schedule that works for your company.

How long does it take to deliver meals?

The delivery process takes an hour or less. With 35 delivery locations throughout the Twin Cities, you’ll be paired with one that’s close to your workplace.

Who organizes a Workplace Delivery Team?

It works best to designate a team leader who is the main point of contact and organizes your company’s delivery schedule. This person will act as a liaison between your company and Meals on Wheels staff.

What are the benefits of a delivering meals for my company?

Delivering meals is a fulfilling volunteer opportunity that requires minimal time spent away from the workplace and helps a trusted and well-respected organization that’s been serving Twin Cities communities for more than 40 years. It’s also a great team-building opportunity and some companies use delivering meals as an opportunity to connect current employees with retired employees who still volunteer. 

Will I deliver meals with a co-worker?

Yes, most Workplace Delivery Teams work in groups of two so employees have the chance to work together.

What if an employee can't deliver meals as scheduled?

The beauty of Workplace Delivery Teams is another team member can step in and sub for someone who can’t deliver. If you can’t fill the spot, contact your Meals on Wheels staff member ahead of time so they can make arrangements for additional help.

Are there resources I can share with decision makers or co-workers at my company?

Yes! We offer a number of resources that can be easily shared with others at your workplace:

FAQs for Donors to Meals on Wheels

How do I know my donation is secure?

Metro Meals on Wheels takes your security and confidentiality seriously. We partner with Heartland Payment Systems, a trusted transaction administrator for thousands of charitable organizations, to ensure your transaction is secure and your information is safe. We will not share your personal information with anyone else, including other charitable organizations, for any reason. See our privacy policy for more.

Is my donation tax deductible?

Yes! Metro Meals on Wheels is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, making your donation 100 percent tax-deductible. You'll receive a receipt when you complete your donation, which you should save for tax purposes.

What is your tax ID number?

Our Tax ID Number is 31-1501057.

What is your privacy policy?

You can find our privacy policy here.

Will I have a receipt?

Yes. When you submit an online donation, you'll receive a receipt at the email address you provide. If you become a sustaining donor, you'll receive a monthly receipt for your recurring donation.

Can I see the financial reports from your organization?

Yes! At Metro Meals on Wheels, we strongly believe in sharing important information with our clients, donors and volunteers. View past annual reports and tax forms.

How do I know my donation is being put to good use?

We work hard to be good stewards of our donors' contributions. You can view our annual report and financial statements on our reports page.