About Meals on Wheels

History

The concept of Meals on Wheels originated in Great Britain following the Blitz in 1939 when the Women's Volunteer Service for Civil Defense began serving food to the ill and elderly who were unable to care for themselves.

Meals on Wheels started in Indianapolis when The National Council of Jewish Women, as a national project, sponsored a "home delivered" food program and conducted the pilot study in the Hoosier capitol.

Mrs. Morris L. Jacobs served as the first president of the board of directors and chair of the Meals on Wheels program. She was the honorary chair until her death in 1997.

On March 4, 1971, with the success, experience and leadership of the National Council of Jewish Women, Technical and Managerial Services (TAMS) assisted in co-sponsoring a new city-wide program, now known as Meals on Wheels, Inc. A number of members of the TAMS Board of Directors became actively involved on the board of Meals on Wheels and made important contributions to the early growth of the program.

Milestones

  Nov. 17, 1970 Meals on Wheels was incorporated by the Indiana Secretary of State.
  March 4, 1971 Ten volunteers served five clients at the old University Heights Hospital.
  April 19, 1983 The one-millionth meal was delivered.
  Dec. 16, 1992 The United Way of Central Indiana adopted Meals on Wheels as an agency.
  July 28, 1999 Indiana First Lady Judy O'Bannon delivered the four-millionth meal to Tillie Phillips, who was 104 years old.
  Oct. 21, 2003 Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson delivered the five-millionth meal to Mr. Herbert Woodruff.

For further details please contact us at 317.633.6325, or by e-mail at info@mealsonwheelsindy.org.