Coral Springs works together with Meals on Wheels to support seniors

Coral Springs, Florida – Coral Springs seniors, imagine the delight of having delicious and healthy meals brought right to your home! What if those delicious meals came at no cost?

The Meals on Wheels program has officially launched in Coral Springs, bringing a new reality for some seniors in the area, according to South Florida Executive Director Marlene Gray.

The City of Coral Springs is excited to collaborate with Meals on Wheels to provide weekly deliveries of tasty breakfasts and dinners to seniors aged 55 and older, as well as individuals with special needs. The mission of Meals on Wheels is to provide nourishment, support, and connection to homebound seniors in Coral Springs. Dedicated volunteers provide nutritious meals, warm check-ins, and essential companionship. The initiative receives funding through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), which is allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

According to Gray, the Meals on Wheels program has been delivering meal services to older Americans as part of the federal Older Americans Act since 1984.

A city spokesperson reported that the City of Coral Springs allocated funding for the program through a $426,000 community development block grant starting in July.

The quest has begun to secure additional clients. “Our goal is to connect with clients who are unaware of the program,” Gray stated. “Our goal is to expand our horizons.”

Currently, there are 15 or 16 local residents who are benefiting from free meals every day of the week. Individuals eligible for assistance must be aged 55 or older and unable to provide for their own needs. “Our goal is to ensure that no one experiences hunger.”

Participants are provided with seven breakfasts and seven dinners each week. Volunteers handle all deliveries, which take place on Mondays. “Should we take on additional clients, we may require more volunteers on another day,” Gray stated.

The spaghetti and meatballs dinner stands out as the top choice on the menu. Fish such as tilapia, along with salmon and the classic combination of chicken and rice, are also quite popular. “Everyone is a fan of our mashed potatoes,” Gray remarked.

Meals on Wheels program A caterer in Fort Lauderdale is utilized for food preparation in South Florida. Given that their clientele consists of seniors, special emphasis is placed on nutrition and healthy eating. “We are working with seniors and ensure that the sodium levels are kept low,” Gray stated. “All aspects are organized to ensure these meals are beneficial for seniors.” The menu undergoes a transformation every six months.

Residents of Coral Springs, Prabha and Basant Madnani, have been relying on the meal program following Prabha’s two recent surgeries, which left her unable to prepare food. She enjoys the meals as well as the side items that are included in packets with the meal. She has a preference for vegetable dishes, while her husband favors fish dinners.

Following her latest surgery in early September, a visiting nurse arrived at her home for follow-up care and inquired about her living situation. She proposed the Meals on Wheels initiative. The nurse reached out to the program, initiating the process.

For those who want to find out more about the program or wish to apply for free meals, please call 954-714-6943 or 954-714-6920. To access their website, click here.