WHAT WE DO
Our Programs
Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois is a powerhouse movement of neighbors preparing and serving or delivering meals to older adults, individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities, and other home bound individuals unable to prepare their own food. We provide short-term services to help during a medical situation like recovering after surgery, or long-term services to support a healthy life.
Monthly Rotating Menu
Our Meals on Wheels program uses a 4-week rotating menu that provides a variety of nutritious meals. Each week features different meal options, and after four weeks the menu repeats. This system helps us offer balanced meals while making ordering simple and predictable for our clients.
If you are interested in more information about our programs, please email our Client Coordinator here.
Home Delivered Meals
Our friendly volunteers deliver two nutritious fully-prepared meals each day to our home bound clients. Deliveries are made Mondays through Saturdays including holidays between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm . Our delivery area includes the communities north of Chicago to the Wisconsin state line and west to the western edge of Lake County.
The meals are prepared fresh every day by our kitchen staff and volunteers and delivered by volunteer delivery drivers, who perform an informal well check and provide socialization as they deliver. This important wellness check provides a set of eyes and ears that can assist clients who may need additional help or who are experiencing an emergency.
Congregate Meal Sites
NILES CAFE
Niles Cafe, 1000 Civic Center Drive, Niles, IL
Our Niles Cafe is located inside of the Niles Senior Center. You do not need to be a member of Niles Senior Center to attend.
The Cafe is open Mondays - Fridays (excluding holidays) from 11:30am - 12:30pm and offers the amazing menu options our home delivered meal clients love. A hot entree with sides, beverage, and roll are included with a suggested donation of $3 per meal. You will not be denied a meal due to inability to pay. On site registration is available.
Animeals
We provide free pet food for Home Delivered Meal program recipients on a weekly basis through a partnership with the Evanston Animal Shelter. Pets get the food they need and our clients, many of whom are socially isolated, benefit from interaction with our pet-loving volunteers.
We are also able to utilize donations of cat litter, cat and dog food, new or gently used collars, leashes, bedding, toys, scratching posts, etc. All donations can be dropped off at our offices.
This program is exclusively available for Home Delivered Meal recipients.
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Program and Eligibility
Q: Who can take advantage of Meals on Wheels?
A: Anyone unable to cook or shop for themselves, require assistance regularly, need medically prescribed diets, or would like help on a short-term basis after hospitalization or illness.
Q: What types of meals do you serve?
A: We offer two reheatable meal options daily for our clients (delivered cold). Our food is all low in salt, fat and cholesterol content. We also offer medically-prescribed diets, such as renal or diverticulitis options.
Q: Where do you prepare the meals?
A: Our meals are prepared with care at our community kitchen and food lab with the exception of some specialized diets that are prepared by our partners at Endeavor Health (Evanston Hospital).
Q: When are the meals delivered?
A: Our volunteers deliver meals Monday through Saturday between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Meals can also be delivered on holidays upon request, unless the holiday falls on a Sunday.
Q: How much do the meals cost?
A: The regular cost is $10 per meal. Reduced fees are also available using a sliding scale. Approximately 85% of our clients qualify for reduced fees. To determine your meal cost, contact us.
Q: Do you offer any other services?
Niles Cafe - – Guests join us for meals Mondays through Fridays between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm at the Niles Senior Center. Enjoy the same delicious meals our home delivered meal clients receive, but in a setting where camaraderie is shared. Donations are appreciated and there is no set fee.
Pet Food Program - – Our pet food program allows us to deliver a weekly portion of pet food each week to ensure clients have companionship.
Q: How do I get started?
If you’re interested in Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois, please call us at 847-332-2678 to speak with the Client Experience Coordinator or fill out the Client Application form below.
Q: How can I refer people to Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois?
If you have someone in mind please, contact us. We welcome referrals from:
- Clients
- Family members or friends
- Hospital discharge planners
- Visiting nurses
- Physicians
- Social service agencies
- Religious and community organizations