COVID19 Realities Force Change; Keynote Robert Egger to Focus on Preparing for Growing Needs.

In response to the current COVID19 environment, Evanston-based Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois (MWNEI), the premier provider of senior and homebound nourishment and support services, is taking its 2020 gala online with a party-infused virtual fundraiser. MWNEI’s commitment to fighting malnutrition in homebound and older adults will be highlighted by guest speaker and world-renowned hunger advocate Robert Egger.

“A difficult time just became more difficult for everybody, especially for those with limited access to nutrition,” says MWNEI Executive Director Debi Genthe. “Taking our gala online gives us a chance to add staff, kitchen equipment, and procedure software. Most importantly, it helps us extend our capabilities in the face of growing nourishment and support needs.

“We are very excited to have Robert participating,” Genthe continues. “He brings a unique perspective and provides great context for the struggle so many people face.”

MWNEI is putting the finishing touches on its new headquarters and food production facility. To add capacity and streamline operations, it is adding all new equipment and software, as well as rewritten policies and procedures. The COVID19 pandemic has only added to a rapidly growing population in need originally fueled by the aging Baby Boomer community.

Egger is an expert in addressing hunger, sustainability, nonprofit political engagement and social enterprise food scarcity. The founder of the DC Central Kitchens, the Campus Kitchen Project, and the L.A. Kitchen, his endeavors have collectively produced more than 40 million meals and helped more than 2,000 individuals attain jobs since 2000. He will be discussing preparation for a surge in senior and homebound citizens in need of proper nutrition.

The gala will be held at MealsOnWheelsNEI.org with registration going on right now. Attendees will begin with a DJ-driven virtual “cocktail hour” where they can post chats much like Facebook Live or Instagram Live. Egger’s keynote presentation will be followed by a Q&A session in which all VIP donors can offer questions.

“It is hard to put into words the impact our new space will have on who we serve and how many we serve,” Genthe says. “Once up and running, which will be before the month is over, we expect to serve 100,000 meals each year up from our current 52,000. Importantly, we also will be able to control and expand the recipe and flavor-profile menu.”

With restrictions and distancing in place due to COVID19, MWNEI volunteers are still delivering frozen meals, but on a weekly basis. To ensure there is still good engagement and a sense of community, volunteers are amplifying phone outreach to clients.

When things normalize, MWNEI will again deliver six days a week through a powerhouse movement of volunteers. By the end of 2020, MWNEI expects to run 56 routes each day compared to the 14 routes today.

“This has been a very big year for us,” Genthe says. “We’ve re-branded, we’ve brought in our first kitchen director, and we now have a centralized operation. We are in outstanding position to take on the exploding need among our communities’ seniors for safely delivered meals now and beyond this health crisis.”