North Carolina, Charlotte- In tough economic times due to the Covid-19 pandemic, older adults are among the most vulnerable. Mecklenburg County has a free program, offering hot, prepared, or frozen meals.
The Mecklenburg County Senior Citizen Nutrition Program (SCNP) of the Department of Social Services (DSS), delivers healthy food to people over 60 years of age.
Meals can be picked up by them or by someone else on their behalf. There are six different places where you can go, or you can also request it at home.
This program that has become known as “Meals on Wheels Program”, Promotes healthy nutrition and physical and social well-being for older adults.
According to the DSS, more than 2,500 people have benefited so far from the program, which receives federal, state and county funds, and does not consider people’s income as a requirement to participate.
“The goal of the program is to reach older adults who do not have access to nutritious food or have mental or physical health conditions that prevent them from shopping and preparing their own food,” says DSS.
Program participants must necessarily be over 60 years old, but there are exceptions for couples. If the wife or husband is under that age, they can receive the maintenance; Likewise, if the person who lives with the participant in the program is disabled, and under 60 years of age, they may be a beneficiary.
Three ways to benefit
The program for this established three ways to participate:
1- “Grab and Go Meals” or “Take and take food”: was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. People can choose from six conveniently located locations and “reserve” to pick up “hot or frozen” prepared foods.
2- Home service: It is for people who are “homebound” with transportation, mental, physical or mobility problems that prevent them from getting healthy food.
3- Community Food Service and Activities: It is suspended due to the pandemic, but when it has operated, people gather to socialize during the week, exercise and learn new things.
What should you do?
– To order meals at home you can call: 704-432-1111
– Places and information to go to pick up meals – “Grab and Go Meal”
- Johnston Y: 3025 N. Davidson St. Charlotte, NC 28205. Call Jessica Williams at: 704-614-9271 to reserve meals.
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, from 10:30 to 11:30 am
Tuesday: 1 hot meal and 1 frozen meal per person.
Thursday: 1 hot meal and 2 frozen meals per person.
- Bette Rae: 2921 Tuckaseegee Rd. Charlotte, NC 28208. Llamar a Angel Brown al: 704-517-4830.
Hours: Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 12:30 pm
* 1 hot meal per person every day.
- Tyvola: 2225 Tyvola Rd. Charlotte, NC 28210. Call Kathy Cheves at: 704-614-9581, or Angela Robinson at: 704-620-3993.
Hours: Monday to Friday from 11:45 am to 12:15 pm
* 1 hot meal per person every day.
- Progressive Baptist Church: 1600 Clanton Rd. Charlotte, NC 28208. Call Delores Moses at: 704-614-9365.
Hours: Monday and Wednesday from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Monday: 1 hot meal and 1 frozen meal per person.
Wednesday: 1 hot meal and 2 frozen meals per person.
- Pine Valley: 1700 Longleaf Dr., Charlotte, NC 28210. Llamar and Yvonne Paulding al: 980-287-6116.
Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Monday and Wednesday: 1 cold meal and 1 hot meal per person.
Friday: 1 hot meal per person.
- Luke Missionary Baptist Church: 1600 Norris Ave. Charlotte, NC 28206. Call Sheila Phronebarger at: 704-614-9483.
Hours: Monday to Friday from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
* 1 hot meal per person for each day
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