Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to deliver a route?
A: Each time you deliver, it takes about 60-90 minutes, depending on how long you stay and visit with each client and how long your route is.
Q: Can I involve my children or grandchildren?
A: Yes! Our clients love to see kids.
Q: Do I have to be available everyday?
A: No. You can schedule your time weekly, monthly or on call.
Q: Do I see the same client each time?
A: The Volunteer Coordinator works hard to make sure the routes are consistent for both the client and the volunteer so you can develop a relationship with your clients.
Q: Do I need a car?
A: If you do not have a car, volunteer with a friend or co-worker that does. It is more fun to volunteer with a friend. One person drives and the other navigates the route.
Q: Can I volunteer nights and weekends?
A: We do not deliver on the weekends or evenings but contact us for other volunteer opportunities.
Q: How can I help if I don’t drive?
A: You may help by making a financial or an in-kind contribution. We seasonally send out gifts along with the meals to our clients. Your group or organization can make bookmarks, cards or refrigerator magnets to be delivered during a holiday. We welcome your creative ideas and contributions! Contact our Marketing and PR Director Miranda Asmussen at Miranda.Asmussen@mowmet.org to discuss.
Q: Why volunteer?
A: You can make a difference in the lives of your older and/or disabled adult neighbors! Some of your neighbors depend solely on volunteers to deliver their meals at lunchtime. For some, this may be the only meal they have all day. Also, for many of our clients, the volunteer who delivers their meal may be the only person that they interact with all day.
Q: How do I volunteer?
A: Contact Donna Anderson, Volunteer Coordinator 903-593-7385 or click the “Volunteer” tab at the top right of the home page.
Q: How does Meals on Wheels Work?
A: Meals on Wheels is a meal service for those in need. Senior Citizens and spouses or caregivers of current service recipients or disabled individuals may qualify to have five nutritionally balanced lunches delivered to their homes. All meals meet RDA requirements, are diabetic friendly, and are prepared fresh daily. Our paid delivery staff and a group of community volunteers deliver the meals. The daily meal delivery also allows the volunteer to perform a daily safety check on the well-being of the individual. When necessary, an emergency system is in place whereby help is summoned.
Q: How do you qualify to get MOW?
A: Submit a Request for Services to Meals On Wheels East Texas by phone, email, or our website. Senior citizens that receive meals are generally over age 60, with physical, mental or financial hardships that make it impossible for the individual to either purchase or prepare food. Recipients are referred by friends, relatives, physicians, and social work professionals. Often the senior has no family on whom to rely for this most basic human need. An in home assessment is conducted to determine the individual’s level of need, and services are offered based on the assessment outcome. We also have a new program called Silver Spoons that allows family members to pay for Meals on Wheels services for their loved one who does not qualify based on income. Call our office for information – (903)593-7385.
Q: How can payments and/or donations be made?
A: You can mail checks and credit card information to 3001 Robertson Road; Tyler, Texas 75701 or make donations online here.
Q: Which areas do you serve?
A: We serve all areas in the counties of Henderson, Van Zandt, Wood, Upshur, Smith and Gregg. We serve the Hallsville and Longview areas in Harrison county. Click here for communities served.
Q: Whom do we serve?
A: We serve citizens who are generally over age 60 with physical, mental or financial hardships that make it impossible for the individual to either purchase or prepare food and disabled citizens under the age of 60. Recipients are referred by friends, relatives, physicians, and social work professionals. Often, referred citizens have no family on whom to rely for this most basic human need.
Q: How do I refer someone for Meals on Wheels?
A: If you know individuals who would benefit from our services, please call Meals on Wheels Ministry at 903-593-7385. You will need their basic information such as name, address, DOB, primary doctor’s name, a list of current medications, and monthly income amounts to complete the brief assessment before a referral to a case manager is made.
Q: How does the approval process work?
A: A member of our assessment staff will conduct a phone or home visit to explain the program and to complete our assessment questionnaire. Our office will notify approved applicants shortly after the interview to let them know when meal service will begin; it generally takes 1-2 weeks for meal service to begin. Meals are served between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., three days a week, depending on the client’s need and availability of serving sites.
Q: Who prepares the menu?
A: All menus are prepared by a registered dietitian.
Q: Who cooks the meals?
A: Our kitchen staff cooks the meals every day starting early in the morning.