Meals on Wheels of Syracuse: 50 Years of Service

Meals on Wheels of Syracuse was organized on May 20, 1959 as the fourth meals on wheels program in the United States. It is celebrating 50 years of service to the community in 2009.

As far back as 1956, the Council on Aging became aware of the need for community service which would enable seniors to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. With a grant from the NYS Health Department, a Founding Committee was established to develop and operate a meals program in Syracuse under the auspice of the United Community Chest ad Council of Social Agencies (today’s United Way). In December 1958, a Planning Committee of the Council of Social Agencies received and provided a three-year demonstration project grant of $12,265 from the Rosamond Gifford Charitable Foundation to the meals program Founding Committee for operations. The Syracuse Housing Authority provided kitchen space at 418 Fabius Street (James Geddes Apartments). Equipment was purchased and a part-time Administrator and Cook were hired. The Founding Committee was dissolved into an Operating Committee.

On May 20, 1959, the Meals on Wheels Program in Syracuse began service to eight people daily. In 6 months, 50 people were being served hot and cold meals five days a week for $1.25 daily. From the beginning the program depended on volunteers to package and deliver meals. Seven volunteers grew to 75 volunteers within 7 months.

In June 1961, the program became affiliated with Midtown Hospital after the Community Chest and Council were reorganized. The three-year demonstration grant ended about that time; after 31,000 meals were served. Midtown Hospital provided accounting and secretarial support through 1970. In 1970, the Meals on Wheels Committee completed an incorporation process. In June 1970, “Meals on Wheels of Syracuse, New York Inc.” became a private not-for-profit.

MOW doubled its meal recipients by obtaining funding for low income seniors in 1974 for those with Supplemental Security Income (SSI); in 1980 through federal funding; and in 1984 through New York State Funding. We expanded our service area to Brighton Towers residence, the Onondaga Nation and other portions of Southern Onondaga County in the 1990’s.

In 2008, MOW served 218, 993 meals (more meals than any other year except 2006) to 831 of our homebound neighbors. For all its accomplishments in 2008, MOW of Syracuse was selected the runner-up finalist for 2009 Non-Profit of the Year by the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce. In this decade, MOW will serve more than 2 million meals. With a budget of $1 million dollars, a staff of 20, and a corps of more than 350 dedicated volunteers, we have come a long way!

1960’s- 354,000 meals (estimate)
1970’s – 726,000 meals (estimate)
1980’s – 1.3 million meals served
1990’s - 1.87 million meals served
2000’s – 2.01 million meals will be served

Meals served over 50 years – 6.26 million meals