Meals on Wheels Rowan County

More Than a Meal - Connection, Care, and Community

About Meals on Wheels Rowan

For 49 years, Meals on Wheels Rowan has delivered more than just food to our homebound neighbors. Since 1976, with the unwavering support of local volunteers, donors, churches, and partners, this vital organization has ensured that seniors across Rowan County can age with dignity and independence in the place they call home.

Every knock on the door is a reminder that someone cares. Behind each hot meal is a network of compassionate people working together to make a difference: one visit, one meal, and one senior at a time.

The Mission

Meals on Wheels Rowan is committed to supporting the nutritional, emotional, and physical well-being of homebound older adults in Rowan County. Their integrated approach focuses on four key areas:

🍲 Nutrition

Delivering hot, nutritious meals Monday through Friday

🛡️ Safety

Providing informal safety checks during each visit

💬 Socialization

Offering friendly greetings and human connection

🤝 Community

Building relationships and providing referrals

By the Numbers

1,000+

Dedicated Volunteers

300+

Seniors Served Daily

Delivery Routes

500

Square Miles

250

Days per Year

97K+

Meals Annually

🏛️ Mt Zion's Partnership

Mt Zion UCC Church is proud to be a supporting partner of Meals on Wheels Rowan County. Our church serves as a vital distribution point in this community-wide effort to care for our homebound neighbors.

Meals are distributed by our dedicated volunteers from "The Hut" located behind Mt Zion. This partnership allows us to:

✓ Serve as a local hub for meal distribution in South Rowan
✓ Provide volunteers who deliver meals with compassion and care
✓ Strengthen connections within our community
✓ Live out our faith through service to our neighbors in need

"Every meal delivered is an act of love and an opportunity to show our neighbors they are not forgotten."

Who We Serve

Meals on Wheels Rowan serves homebound seniors (60+) and individuals with disabilities who:

• Have difficulty leaving their homes

• Are challenged to prepare their own meals

• Face food insecurity (~25% of those served)

• Experience mobility or standing difficulties

• Must choose between medicines or groceries

• Face social isolation

Beyond Meal Delivery

Meals on Wheels Rowan has expanded services to meet evolving community needs:

🛒 Grocery Program

Volunteers shop for and deliver groceries to seniors who can prepare meals but lack transportation or online access.

📞 Comfort Calls

Phone check-ins to combat social isolation and depression among homebound seniors.

🔍 Safety Checks

Informal observations during deliveries to ensure recipient wellbeing and alert staff to changes in condition or environment.

🔗 Resource Referrals

Connecting seniors with additional community support services they may need.

📍 Distribution Sites Across Rowan County

Meals on Wheels Rowan operates from six strategic locations to cover all 500 square miles of the county:

📦 Meals on Wheels Rowan Office - 1307 S. Salisbury Avenue, Spencer (Central pickup at 10:30 AM)
⛪ Shiloh United Methodist Church - Granite Quarry (East Rowan routes)
🏛️ Mt. Zion - China Grove (South Rowan routes) ← Our church's distribution point!
⛪ St. Matthew Lutheran Church - Gold Hill (Gold Hill routes)
⛪ St. Luke's Lutheran Church - Mt. Ulla (Western Rowan routes)
🏥 RHA - Cleveland (Cleveland routes)

How You Can Help

🤝 Volunteer

"If you have an hour of time and one gallon of gas, you can be a Meals on Wheels volunteer."

Join our team who deliver meals Monday-Friday. Routes typically take 1-1.5 hours. Volunteers work in teams of two.

💝 Donate

Financial contributions help ensure no senior is left behind. Your gift supports meal preparation, delivery operations, and expanded services.

📢 Spread the Word

Help identify seniors in need and share information about Meals on Wheels with neighbors and community members.

Nearly Five Decades of Service

Since 1976, Meals on Wheels Rowan has been a cornerstone of senior care in our community. What began as a simple mission to deliver meals has grown into a comprehensive support network that addresses hunger, isolation, and safety concerns for hundreds of homebound seniors.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the program saw a 77% increase in demand, highlighting the critical need for these services.

Because it's always been more than a meal.