Meals on Wheels Durham delivers a nutritious meal, a safety check, and a smile that serves as a lifeline to seniors of limited mobility. This combination goes well beyond fighting the battle against hunger that threatens one in six of America’s seniors – it provides the support and peace of mind that enable them to remain safely and securely in their own homes as they continue to age. Enabling seniors to stay in their own homes means they remain happier, extends their independence, and helps them stay connected to the communities and surroundings that provide them comfort. The powerful side effect of this result is that it means seniors can stay out of expensive nursing facilities and hospitals.
About Our Meals
- One serving of lean protein
- Two servings of complex carbohydrates (usually 1 bread and 1 starch)
- Two servings of either a fruit or a vegetable
- Eight ounces of milk
Nutritionally, each meal has:
- At least 700 calories
- Less than 1,300 mg of sodium
- Less than 30% of its calories from fat
Applying for Services
To apply, please complete and submit one of the Application for Services forms linked below and we will contact you. Applications for services are reviewed on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Please download, print, complete, and mail or fax the printable form. You can also drop it off at the office located at 2522 Ross Road, Durham, NC, 27703. Our contact information is located on our Contact Us webpage.
* To view the printable form, Adobe Acrobat Reader is required. It is available for free here.
For more information about applying for meals, visit our How to Apply webpage. If you have questions about the qualifications for meals and the cost of Meals on Wheels Durham services, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Meal Programs
Our services are available to any resident of Durham County who is homebound as the result of age, disability, or illness. Most recipients of meals live alone and are elderly, handicapped, malnourished, or otherwise unable to prepare food for themselves. People of all incomes and ages may be eligible for meals. Meals on Wheels Durham does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or national origin.
If you do not live in Durham County, please click here to view the Meals on Wheels organization that services your area.
Meals on Wheels Durham, in partnership with the Durham County Department of Social Services, works to provide meals to Durham County seniors at no cost.
- 5 meals per week—hot or frozen. More meals can be requested based on need.
- Meals are funded by the Durham Department of Social Services and is no extra cost for the client.
- Eligibility: Anyone who is homebound as the result of age, disability, or illness.
- Up to 1-year waitlist
Meals on Wheels Durham provides two weeks of free meals to individuals 60+ y/o returning home from the hospital. APPLICATIONS FOR THIS PROGRAM MUST BE SUBMITTED BY HOSPITAL STAFF THROUGH NC CARE 360 PORTAL
The Hospital Discharge Meals Pilot Program is a partnership with Meals on Wheels NC and UNITE US NC CARE 360. It is a pilot aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of providing healthy meals to high-risk adults (60+ y/o) after hospital discharge to reduce health complications and hospital readmissions through proper nutrition.
- 2 weeks of donor-funded meals (10 meals)
- Free to the recipient — would require a referral from a discharge facility or note from a medical doctor
- Eligibility: Anyone returning home following a post-hospital/post-rehab discharge
Any eligible individual interested in paying for Meals on Wheels Durham services can do so in our Private Pay Program.
- 5 meals per week—hot or frozen. More meals can be requested based on need.
- $5 per meal ($3.80 per meal for clients who receive SNAP benefits)
- Eligibility: Anyone who desires to purchase a home-delivered meal through Meals on Wheels
- No waitlist
The Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) is a Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program that provides a cost-effective alternative to institutionalization for a Medicaid beneficiary who is medically fragile and at risk for institutionalization if home- and community-bases services are approved in the CAP/DA waiver were not available. Meals on Wheels Durham offers home-delivered meal services to those a part of CAP/DA
- 5 meals per week — hot or frozen. More meals can be requested based on need.
- Eligibility: Disabled adults 18+ years old who meet CAP/DA requirements. Must be referred by a referral agency.
- No waitlist
In the past, we heard stories of clients sharing their meals with their pets. For this reason, we created our Pet Food Program, which provides wet and dry pet food to our clients' four-legged companions. Our program is made possible through generous donations from supporters and local animal hospitals.
The Wellness Call Program arose from the need to continue weekly social interactions with clients throughout the pandemic. Because of its success, Meals on Wheels Durham continues to make weekly calls where volunteers check in on clients on Wednesdays and Fridays. Clients have reported feeling more connected, happier, less isolated, and safer due to Wellness Calls.
Meals on Wheels Durham loves to spread cheer to clients throughout the year, making sure they are cared for during the holidays. Each December, we deliver holiday gifts—chosen by clients from a curated list of offerings—and meals prepared by local restaurants to every client.
We also provide hot holiday meals for Thanksgiving and around Christmas, and give out treats for Valentine's Day, and Mother's and Father's Day—and we send out birthday cards, too.
Visit our Holiday Programs webpage to find out more.
To maintain strong and healthy seniors, the Nutritional Shakes Program was created to provide healthy drinks to supplement meals that maximize nutritional requirements as recommended by doctors.
Summers in Durham can be uncomfortable—and dangerous— for homebound older adults with malfunctioning or nonexistent air conditioning. For that reason, MOWD accepts donations each spring and throughout the summer of new box fans or funds to purchase them, which MOWD volunteers deliver to clients.
In 2024, generous donors and countless supporters helped us surpass our goal of 200 fans!
Meals on Wheels Durham partners with a variety of organizations and supporters to offer additional services for our clients. When available, we provide the following
- Electric fans
- Books
- Toiletries
- Warm clothing
- Placemats
- Doorbells
- Information and resources on a variety of agencies offering help and assistance to the elderly
- Monthly educational pieces for clients on health and nutrition
For more information about our meal program, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions webpage.