Ypsilanti Meals On Wheels

YPSILANTI MEALS ON WHEELS SUPPORTS THE COMMUNITY'S HOMEBOUND ELDERLY, ILL AND DISABLED RESIDENTS WITH HOME-DELIVERED MEALS, SOCIAL CONTACT, PET FOOD AND SUPPLIES, PERSONAL GOODS AND OTHER SUPPORTS TO HELP THEM LIVE HEALTHIER, SAFER AND MORE INDEPENDENT LIVES.

IN 2023 YPSILANTI MEALS ON WHEELS PROVIDED MEALS TO MEDICALLY HOMEBOUND RESIDENTS OF EASTERN WASHTENAW COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN. YMOW CLIENTS ACCESS TO TWO MEALS A DAY ON MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY AND ONE MEAL ON SUNDAY. EACH DAY'S DELIVERY INCLUDES A HOT MEAL FOR LUNCH AND A CHILLED MEAL FOR LATER IN THE DAY. IN ADDITION TO TRADITIONAL MEALS, YMOW PROVIDES FROZEN MEALS AND EMERGENCY SHELF STABLE MEALS FOR TIMES WHEN WEATHER OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES PREVENT DELIVERY. YMOW'S CLIENTS ARE TYPICALLY OLDER ADULTS WITH MULTIPLE CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS AND VERY LIMITED INCOMES. OUR COMMITMENT IS TO HELP THESE VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS REMAIN IN THE COMFORT OF THEIR OWN HOMES WITHOUT WORRIES ABOUT WHAT THEY WILL EAT OR HOW THEY WILL OBTAIN OR PREPARE FOOD. EVERY MEAL DELIVERY DOUBLES AS A WELLNESS CHECK AND A TOOL AGAINST THE SOCIAL ISOLATION THAT MANY CLIENTS EXPERIENCE. WITH EVERY MEAL DELIVERED AND EVERY CLIENT VISITED, WE TAKE ONE SMALL STEP TOWARD OUR VISION OF A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERY SENIOR FEELS NOURISHED, VALUED AND SUPPORTED.

THROUGH OUR PERSONAL CARE PANTRY, YMOW MAKES NON-FOOD ESSENTIALS AVAILABLE TO CLIENTS WHO MAY NOT HAVE MONEY FOR SUCH PURCHASES OR A MEANS OF OBTAINING SUCH ITEMS. INCONTINENCE PRODUCTS, CLEANING SUPPLIES, HYGIENE ITEMS AND PAPER PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE PANTRY. ADDITIONALLY, YMOW OFFERS CASE MANAGEMENT, SOCIAL WORKER SUPPORT, FINANCIAL COUNSELING, AND A WEEKLY PRODUCE DELIVERY THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH FOOD GATHERERS.

CARE ON WHEELS -THE CARE ON WHEELS PROGRAM FULFILLS THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION TO HELP SENIORS LIVE MORE SAFELY AT HOME. THE PROGRAM HELP REMOVE THE OBSTACLES THAT MAKE AGING IN PLACE DIFFICULT, AND EVEN DANGEROUS, FOR HOMEBOUND NEIGHBORS LIVING IN YPSILANTI AND SURROUNDING TOWNSHIPS. IT SIMULTANEOUSLY EASES THE BURDENS PLACED ON FAMILY CAREGIVERS, LEAVING THEM MORE TIME TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES, OR TO JUST ENJOY THEIR LOVED ONE WITHOUT THE DUTIES THAT COME WITH CAREGIVING. CAREGIVER VISITS ALSO PROVIDE RELIEF FROM ISOLATION.

PETS ASSISTING THE LIVES OF SENIORS ("PALS"), FORMALLY REFERRED TO AS ANIMEAL & PET SUPPORT - FOR MANY HOMEBOUND PEOPLE, A PET IS A TREASURED COMPANION AND AN IMPORTANT TOOL AGAINST LONELINESS. TO HELP CLIENTS CARE FOR THEIR FURRY FRIENDS, THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS FREE PET FOOD DELIVERY THROUGH THIS PROGRAM AS WELL AS SUPPORT FOR VET VISITS, PET GROOMING, MEDICAL CARE FOR PETS AND PET SUPPLIES.