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 and 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. 

If you are interested in more information about our programs, please email our Client Coordinator here.

See the new spring menu here.

 
0618_MOW_San_Antonio-1228-XL.jpg

Home Delivered Meals

Our friendly volunteers deliver two nutritious prepared meals each day, one hot and one cold, 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 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 $2 per meal. We also offer a cold to-go meal for later as a part of our Home Delivered Meals program at $8 per meal. Subsidies are available if needed. You will not be denied a meal due to inability to pay. On site registration is available.

mow-petservice.jpg

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

Below are some common questions we receive. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

+ Who can take advantage of Meals on Wheels?

Meals on Wheels Northeast Illinois provide meals to those who:

  • Are unable to cook or shop for themselves
  • Require assistance with meal preparation on a regular basis
  • Need medically prescribed diets that are too complicated for home preparation
  • Would like help on a short-term basis after hospitalization, an accident, illness or as relief for the primary caregiver
  • Are caregiving for our clients

+ What types of meals do you serve?

We deliver two meals a day for our clients: one hot (delivered cold) and one cold. Our food is all low in salt, fat and cholesterol content. We also offer medically-prescribed diets, such as renal or salt free options.

+ Where do you prepare the meals?

Our meals are prepared with care at our new community kitchen and food lab with the exception of some specialized diets that are prepared by our partners at Northshore Hospital.

+ When are the meals delivered?

Our volunteers deliver meals Monday through Saturday between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. Meals can also be delivered on holidays upon request, unless the holiday falls on a Sunday.

+ How much do the meals cost?

The cost of our meals is determined by client income. The regular cost per day 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.

+ Do you offer any other services?

Niles Cafe - – Guests join in us for a 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.

Pet Food Program - – Our pet food program allows us to deliver a weekly portion of pet food each week to ensure clients have companionship and do not need to share their people food with those companions.

+ 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 Coordinator or fill out the Client Application form below.

+ 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
 

BIG CHANGES START WITH LITTLE STEPS.

LET’S START WITH EMAIL.

Join our newsletter to help us reduce our costs and become more efficient in our mission to better serve our neighbors.