Peninsula Volunteers, Inc. launches new Meals on Wheels deliveries in Santa Clara County

Peninsula Volunteers, Inc.’s (PVI) award winning Meals on Wheels program has launched a new route in Santa Clara County, initially in all Palo Alto zip codes for 3,900 meals annually. “We are already expanding into Los Altos and Mountain View as sign ups and program funding grows” says Stephanie Figeira, PVI’s Nutrition Services Director.

PVI’s Meals on Wheels program is the primary safety net in operation since 1977 in San Mateo County, including East Palo Alto, operating year-round 5 days a week, and serving over 125,000 meals annually. The program’s sustained commitment is quite remarkable — and never missed a meal delivery throughout the multi-year COVID pandemic.

PVI provides freshly prepared, nutritious home delivered meals to homebound seniors and adults with disabilities who cannot shop or cook for themselves. The program operates from its commercial kitchens at PVI’s headquarters at 800 Middle Avenue, in Menlo Park, CA.

“Clients often live alone, making our PVI’s Meals on Wheels deliverer the only person to have contact with an isolated senior, making that delivery so much more than a meal” Stephanie Figeira emphasizes. PVI Meals on Wheels drivers are also the direct contact for many seniors when they have a problem or health need that only a person with face-to-face contact can observe and report to obtain further resources and support. Weekly wellness and social check-in calls help close the gap of senior loneliness and isolation.

“The need to protect the most vulnerable among us will only accelerate” says Peter Olson, PVI’s CEO. “Aging adults are living longer than ever before, and with potential rising housing, insurance, and prescription drug costs, those with less resources may be forced to forgo healthy meals to meet their most basic needs.”

Reach PVI’s direct Meals on Wheels number 650.323-2022 to sign up for PVI’s Meals on Wheels.

InMenlo file photo (c) 2022