Meals on Wheels of Ramsey County Program Support

                           

Strengthening Meals on Wheels in Ramsey County Together

For 50 years, our Meals on Wheels network has worked together to help older adults and people with disabilities maintain independence and live healthier lives through good nutrition. Our mission guides everything we do:

“To sustain a strong collaborative of community-based organizations dedicated to helping people maintain independence and improve their quality of life through good nutrition.”

By uniting seven community-based agencies and school districts, we operate a streamlined, economical, and deeply local program that responds to the unique needs of neighborhoods across Ramsey County. Working as a network allows us to stretch limited resources, share best practices, and strengthen community engagement where it matters most.

Our Vision

“A thriving collaborative shaping the future of food security in Ramsey County and beyond by being neighborhood-focused, volunteer-driven, and grounded in a strong continuum of services.”

Our Values

The organizations that make up Meals on Wheels in Ramsey County are guided by shared values that shape how we serve:

• Dignity: Everyone deserves to age in a healthy, vital, and fulfilling way.

• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: We honor the cultures and identities of those we serve and support full participation for all people.

• Integrity: We are accountable to our clients and communities.

• Neighborhood-Based Care: We stay rooted in local communities, helping people remain in their homes whenever possible.

• Partnerships: We collaborate with caregivers, families, and other partners for the common good.

• Service: We invite those we serve to shape the services they receive—and to share their gifts with others.

• Transparency: We commit to clear, honest decision-making.

• Volunteer Engagement: Volunteers reflect our vibrant community and enrich every part of our work.

The Need Is Growing Fast

While our commitment is strong, the resources to sustain it are increasingly strained:

• Funding streams are flat or declining, even as costs for food and staffing continue to rise.

• In 2025, we are on track to 6% more meals than in 2024.

• Since COVID, meal demand has grown nearly 70%, but funding has not kept pace.

• 16% of Ramsey County residents are now seniors, and that number will double by 2040.

Meals on Wheels remains one of the most cost-effective supports for older adults—We can serve a senior for an entire year for about the cost of one day in the hospital or 10 days in a nursing home.

Your Support Makes Independence Possible

With your help, we can ensure older adults across Ramsey County are nourished, connected, and able to remain in the homes and neighborhoods they love. Our network has the strategy, collaboration, and experience—your donation makes the difference.

Thank you for supporting Meals on Wheels and helping our neighbors live with dignity and independence.