Mobile Meals
Founded in 1971, Mobile Meals is a Meals on Wheels affiliated organization operating in Northeast Ohio. The idea of providing meals was first suggested by Mary Gordon at a picnic of the Summit County Medical Auxiliary, also known as the Summit County Medical Alliance. Mary’s physician husband had frequently mentioned that he would feel uncomfortable releasing stroke patients from the hospital if they could not shop and prepare their own meals.
The Auxiliary, meanwhile, was looking for a hands-on project with a purpose. Mary’s idea took on new life when, soon afterward, the Auxiliary learned of a successful meal-delivery program in Toledo, Ohio. A 15-member Task Force went to work and Mobile Meals of Akron emerged — with $500 in seed money for route books, food containers and basic supplies that enabled delivery of 12 meals a day from base locations in two local hospitals.
Mobile Meals has been serving the community now for over fifty years. In 2016, Mobile Meals became a program of Axess Family Services (formerly Family & Community Services). Today, its staff and volunteers provide almost 200,000 meals each year to people in their homes and at dining centers throughout Summit, Portage, and Cuyahoga counties.
Meals Delivered with Dignity
Healthy Food
We offer nutritious and delicious meals for a wide variety of dietary needs, all designed by a registered dietitian.
Independence
Healthy eating can improve cognition and overall health, making it easier to manage day-to-day, independent living.
Peace of Mind
Our delivery drivers conduct regular wellness checks on our clients so you know your loved one is safe.
More Than A Meal
Because Mobile Meals is locally owned and operated, that means our clients are also our neighbors. Everyday, we work to create a support network for our clients through nutrition and food security, as well as regular wellness checks.
Adequate nutrition is an important part of remaining independent; healthy eating can improve cognition and overall health, making it easier to manage day-to-day living. Mobile Meals helps to ensure that seniors have access to adequate nutrition even when family support, mobility, and other resources are lacking.
Wellness Checks & Peace of Mind
For many seniors, a trusted Mobile Meals staff member or volunteer who arrives with a nutritious meal and a smile may be the only person they see or speak to all day. A daily delivery can provide something to look forward to. Additionally, seniors who travel to one of our congregate meal sites also increase their opportunities for social interactions and companionship.
The wellness check that accompanies each meal delivery helps keep seniors independent while giving loved ones a little extra peace of mind. Daily visits from a friendly Mobile Meals staff member or volunteer help monitor potential changes in our clients’ physical and mental conditions. Our clients’ safety is important to us, so our office staff will check up with the client or their emergency contact if they miss a scheduled delivery or if other concerns are present.
Who We Serve
Mobile Meals provides regular nutritional meals to low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals in Summit, Cuyahoga, and Portage counties. Mobile Meals offers home-delivered meals that are either hot or frozen, depending on the individuals’ needs, as well as congregate meals at a number of locations throughout Portage and Summit counties. The meals come from dietitian-created monthly menus that meet daily nutrition requirements. For those with specific dietary requirements, kosher, gluten-free, and diabetic-friendly meal options are available, as well as supplements.
Our Services
Home Delivered Meals
Our home delivered meals are healthy, convenient, nutritious, and designed by a professional dietitian.
We offer:
- Hot meals (kosher upon request)
- Frozen meals (vegetarian upon request)
- Therapeutic meals, such as renal and cardiac
- Supplements
- Wellness checks
Contact Mobile Meals
Donate to Mobile Meals
Our program needs your support and by donating you help offset the cost of providing meals to low-income individuals, ensuring that everyone has access to nutritious food. You can also give back in a hands-on way by volunteering, helping us serve meals and support our neighbors directly.
In addition to donations, Mobile Meals is in need of volunteers to perform tasks such as cooking, stocking shelves, sorting non-perishable foods, clerical work, weeding, cleaning, and shoveling snow. Visit the AFS Volunteer page to sign up online or if you want to contribute but have limited time, please consider hosting a food drive or sponsoring a fundraiser!