The Meals on Wheels program began in Philadelphia Pennsylvania in 1954. The goal was to provide assistance to the elderly while still allowing for independence. Meals on Wheels America serves both home delivered and congregate meals at sites such as senior centers. This allows the burden placed on seniors to be lifted by fulfilling their nutritional needs as well as providing interaction at the congregate pickup points. This was the system that the Morgantown Area Meals on Wheels was based on, to assist local seniors while allowing them to maintain their independence.
The Morgantown Area Meals on Wheels began in 1973 with only three people in one car. Rev. Violet Petso, director of a local Settlement House, became aware of many elderly who were having a hard time meeting their nutritional needs. She worked together with other community leaders to begin delivering meals to others in need in 1972. Partnering with graduate students from the WVU School of Social Work they drew inspiration from Meals on Wheels programs in Chicago and Pittsburgh to organize meal delivery effectively. By 1975, they had opened two kitchens serving 60 people daily. From 1975 to 1992, the annual number of meals delivered tripled.
The Morgantown division of meals on wheels serves a 10 mile radius around each distribution location so that most of Monongalia county is covered. All meals are prepared in the Star City Kitchen. Five routes depart directly from the kitchen, four routes go to the Rock Forge Presbyterian Church, and one more goes to the Goshen Baptist Church. These drivers cover around a thousand miles per week. Eighty-seven drivers drive for approximately 64 hours a week Monday through Friday. The average number of clients that were served across these ten routes in 2020 was 116 per month.
Donors and volunteers make this level of service possible here in Morgantown. The only staff that is paid is a part time manager, 4 cooks and 3 substitutes. The rest of the driving, shopping, and other assistance is provided by volunteers. Donors are also vitally important to keep this service that allows seniors to maintain their independence. The meals cost $10.38 to prepare, but clients only pay $6 for a regular meal and $7 for specialty diets including diabetic meals or meals with religious restrictions. Financial support is essential to helping Morgantown Area Meals on Wheels accomplish their mission of preparing and delivering affordable meals to clients in their homes to help meet their nutritional needs.