Mission and History

      The Meals on Wheels concept originated in Great Britain during World War II, when volunteers provided food for people

who lost their homes during the bombings of the London Blitz. In 1947, the modern program as we know it began there,

with meals delivered to frail elderly citizens.

 

      It found its way to Philadelphia in 1954, and, since then, it has spread to all 50 states and most counties in the United

States, with currently over 5,000 organizations. In 1972, Meals on Wheels arrived in Woodland, California, when St.

John's United Church of Christ noted a need for nourishing meals among homebound seniors in the community.

Volunteer church members began to deliver meals prepared by St. John's Retirement Village to seven elderly residents

in Woodland. The program grew rapidly over the next few years, but when donations could no longer cover rising

expenses (a meal cost $3.50 at the time), this service was discontinued by the church out of necessity.

The Economic Opportunity Commission of Yolo County, Inc., a non-profit corporation whose mission was to provide

services to low income people, filled the void by continuing meal service to the elderly in Woodland in 1975. The name

and mission have changed over the years to People Resources, Inc., Elderly Nutrition Program (ENP), and now, Meals on

Wheels Yolo County (MOWYC). Meals on Wheels Yolo County has grown to include 4 congregate meal sites and 27

home delivery routes throughout the county. But no matter how we are known, we remain at our core an independent,

public benefit organization and grassroots endeavor at heart - dependent on community support, understanding, and

partnering to fulfill our mission of providing critical nourishment and social interaction to our elder neighbors, regardless

of income.