The Diner

Promising Practices from the Network

July 20, 2020 

 

The Diner is a casual dining experience with a mission to nourish seniors through food and 

socialization. Located in Vancouver, Washington, The Diner is one of several social enterprise

activities of Meals on Wheels People, Inc. a non-profit senior nutrition program funded through 

the Older Americans Act (OAA) and community support. The Diner acts as a local service 

provider and supports the mission of Meals on Wheels People through delicious restaurant 

meals for eligible Vancouver adults ages 60 and older. The program also provides additional 

revenue from private pay diners who are not eligible for OAA but enjoy the tasty food. 

Opened by Meals on Wheels People in February 2019, The Diner offers classic breakfast and 

lunch options in an atmosphere accented with “retro nostalgia”. The Diner encourages 

intergenerational social interaction by welcoming a diverse crowd of people – individuals, 

families, business professionals and older adults alike. The concept is simple but 

meaningful: the profits from The Diner help offset the cost of providing nutritious meals to 

Vancouver’s 60-and-over population.

The Diner serves delicious meals to their general public patrons as well as a menu consistent 

with the nutrition and contribution requirements of the OAA for adults age 60 and beyond. The 

OAA menu choices at The Diner follow the standard fare but are modified by a Registered 

Dietitian to meet one-third to one-half of the older adult’s daily nutrition requirement. Senior 

diners are encouraged to contribute voluntarily and confidentially whatever amount they 

choose. No one is denied service (at The Diner, congregate sites or home-delivered meals) if 

they cannot or choose not to contribute.

Other social enterprise activities of Meals on Wheels People include a commercial foodservice 

kitchen for business and community catering. Also, the kitchen operates the Meals 4 Kids 

program in the Portland metropolitan area, which is funded through a Portland City levy and 

delivers nutritious meals, milk, bread and fresh fruit directly to the homes of families in need.

Additional questions? Please contact Julie Piper Finley, Director of Marketing & 

Communications at The Diner. She can be reached at 503.953.8136 (p) or 503.318.1362 (c) or 

julie.piperfinley@mowp.org.
The Diner

5303 E Mill Plain Blvd

Vancouver, Washington 98661

www.mowp.org

SOCIAL DISTANCING PIVOT 

The Diner, like other restaurants, was faced with closure during COVID-19, and their only source of 

revenue was take-out service. Clients were growing at Meals on Wheels People; numbers surged 

from 5,000 clients to 8,000, and the much-needed revenue contributed by The Diner disappeared. 

But with a little creativity and thought, the staff rose to the occasion with a new concept. The 

Diner decided to offer Family Meals. A complete meal for four can be purchased for just $39.99 

with additional portions available for $9.99. Family meals include Portobello and Pesto Pasta, 

Smoked Kielbasa Sausage with German Potato Salad, Roasted Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes and 

Gravy, Homemade Chicken Pot Pie and Curry Chicken Stew. 

In addition to family meals, The Diner actively markets promotions. They are active on social 

media with a presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Postings and tweets from The Diner 

inform the Vancouver community about special events and offerings. For example, on Mother’s 

Day, The Diner promoted coffee cake and homemade pies for sale as a special treat for Mom. 

National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day was celebrated on social media to generate interest and 

motivate patrons to order take-out. When toilet paper was in high demand, The Diner used their 

excess supply of toilet paper to generate take-out sales. A free roll of toilet paper was included 

with every meal ordered as a way to increase sales. The Diner has created opportunities to 

increase sales while in the middle of a national crisis.