By Suzanne Washington, CEO, Meals on Wheels People
As I reflect on this past year, one word keeps coming to mind: gratitude.
Because of our donors, volunteers, partners, and supporters, Meals on Wheels People has been able to make a profound difference in the lives of older adults and families across our community. In a time of growing uncertainty, when the cost of living continues to rise and food insecurity, malnutrition, and social isolation affects more and more of our aging neighbors, this community’s compassion and generosity has allowed us to continue saying yes to every senior who needs a meal, without delay.
This past year, we served nearly 1.5 million meals — a 12.45% increase from the previous year — to over 11,400 individuals. And while these numbers are significant, the real impact is in the lives behind them — people like Barbara, Terry, and Sue, whose stories remind us why this work matters.
Meeting the Need
While no one can predict what the future holds, we do know this: The need for our services is growing. More older adults than ever are at risk of hunger and isolation, and projections show that the number of people aged 65 and older will increase by 47% nationwide by 2050.
At Meals on Wheels People, we are preparing for this reality. We are strengthening our programs, expanding access to nutritious meals, and ensuring that we can continue to be there for the people who need us — no matter what challenges come our way.
Investing in the Future
We are always looking ahead, finding ways to adapt, innovate, and strengthen our ability to serve in a changing world.
This year, we made significant strides with our Medically Tailored Meals program, partnering with eight health care providers to deliver 45,829 meals — a 75.8% increase from the last year — to individuals managing chronic illnesses and recovering from hospital stays. As more health care providers recognize the critical role nutrition plays in health outcomes, we continue to expand this program, reinforcing the vital role that food plays in health and recovery. The impact is profound: Meals on Wheels People can provide a full year of medically tailored meals for less than the cost of just one day in the hospital.
This year, we also celebrated two major milestones that reinforce our long-term commitment to serving our community: Meals 4 Kids, supported by the Portland Children’s Levy, marked its 10th anniversary, continuing to provide vital support to families facing food insecurity. Over the past year alone, the program, delivered 368,236 meals to more than 2,000 individuals, including 1,175 children. At the same time, The Diner Vancouver reached its five-year milestone, serving as a welcoming space where people of all generations can come together to share a meal and build connections.
And we laid the groundwork for our Together at the Table Capital Campaign — a bold vision to create a new hub in Southeast Portland. When completed in 2026, this facility will allow us to reduce barriers to service, drive innovation, and prepare for the unexpected.
Powered by People
None of this would be possible without the 2,033 volunteers who gave more than 89,000 hours of their time this year, contributing nearly $3.2 million in cost savings. Corporate volunteer groups are also essential to our mission, helping us expand our reach and deepen our impact. From delivering meals to making Friendly Chats calls to engaging employees in service, your kindness and generosity inspire me every day.
Meals on Wheels People is a community-driven organization, and every meal we serve, every safety check we provide, and every moment of connection we create is made possible through community support. Donations ensure that no senior has to wait for a meal and that we can continue to meet the growing needs of older adults in our region. Thanks to our supporters, we are able to show up, day after day, with a healthy meal, a friendly face, and a reminder that our participants aren’t forgotten.
Looking Ahead with Hope
These are uncertain times. Many of the challenges our older neighbors face — rising costs, food insecurity, and social isolation — will not go away overnight. But thanks to you, we are ready.
We are ready to meet today’s needs while building the foundation for a stronger, more connected future. We are ready to continue growing, innovating, and finding new ways to serve. And we are ready to stand together as a community, ensuring that no senior is left behind.
To every donor, every volunteer, every supporter who has been part of our journey: Thank you. Your generosity allows us to do more than serve meals — it allows us to bring comfort, dignity, and human connection to thousands of people in our community.
I hope you will take a moment to read the 2024 Annual Report in full and see the impact we’ve made together. As we move forward, I invite you to continue this journey with us. Together, let’s keep changing lives, one meal at a time.