The average age of clients is 80. We're not just providing nutritional support. For some seniors, the volunteer is the only face they see during the day, and that's really important to them. Meals on Wheels was forced to raise its fees last year for the first time in 11 years to compensate for the increased need and decreased number of volunteers. The service is provided on a sliding scale based on each client's income.
Donations make up the difference .
Volunteers are matched up with homes in their neighborhood. 1 p.m. Volunteers can choose how many days a month they want to serve. All of the meals are prepared in a central kitchen at the Door of Hope facility in Kearny Mesa. Truck drivers then transport the meals to local sites where the volunteers pick up the meals and proceed to their route. The only way some people can stay home is to have meals brought in.