In October 1975, a group of Howard County Council of Aging members and other volunteers began delivering hot lunches to needy, elderly citizens. At that time, they delivered 15 lunches each day, Monday through Friday. Today, Mobile Meals delivers, on average, 80 lunches per day, 5 days a week.

The program is managed by a director under the auspices of the Howard County Council on Aging Board. The program is locally and privately funded. Basic funding comes from the Dora Roberts Foundation. Other funding comes from the United Way and recipients. Occasionally, recipients' families give donations towards their meals.

Recipient Qualifications
Referrals or direct requests for meals come to the Council from other agencies, medical personnel, relatives or neighbors of persons who:

• Are age 60 or above,
• Have a serious physical disability,
• Have a temporary or chronic illness,
• Are isolated,
• Have inadequate income.

Usually, it is a combination of 2 or more of these conditions, but any one of them alone may qualify a person if it is of enough severity.

Volunteers
Volunteers come from the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and other organizations and individuals in the community. Volunteers pick up lunches and updated route lists at Scenic Mountain medical Center each day between 8:45 a.m. and 9 a.m. Most routes are completed within an hour or so.

The Council can always use Mobile Meals volunteers. If you can donate approximately 1 hour a day, or even a week, call 432-263-4016. Your call will be returned as soon as possible.