Checking in on your neighbours can be a lifeline you didn’t know someone needed. A simple knock on the door can be the difference between someone feeling forgotten and feeling safe in their own home.
Meals on Wheels provides that moment of connection that’s crucial for so many. It’s why WoodGreen is proud to take part in March for Meals 2026.
Why a Simple Visit is a Lifeline
Created more than 80 years ago, Meals on Wheels is needed now more than ever. Canadian seniors say social isolation and loneliness continue to be a widespread problem. That lack of human contact can impact your health as much as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and carries more risks than obesity.
So when a WoodGreen volunteer arrives at a client’s home with lunch or dinner, it’s about so much more than a meal.
“If it’s helping keep seniors, in particular, in their homes and gives them a bit of human contact every day, then what is 90 minutes out of my day?” says Jim Cant, who has volunteered with WoodGreen’s Meals on Wheels program for the past decade.
The Rising Demand for Senior Support
The need – and demand – for Meals on Wheels is growing. This past year, WoodGreen delivered 64,422 meals, up 18% from the year before. Since partnering with East York Meals on Wheels (EYMOW) this year, we are now serving even more meals in our community. While most are seniors, some have cognitive challenges, while others find themselves suddenly unable to shop or cook.
“I am in a vulnerable state after surgery and homebound,” said client Sylvia Cowan. “Meals on Wheels volunteers were compassionate, caring, and always delivered meals with a smile. I even get the weather update from them.”
Volunteers: The Heart of WoodGreen
Those volunteers are committed to being a consistent, reliable source of connection for their neighbours, despite busy schedules and challenging weather. Providing that lifeline for their community has become a way of life for the past 20 years for volunteers Eugene and Jennifer Janes, alongside Garnet Ward and Tabitha Farmer, who have each spent the last decade ensuring Meals on Wheels keeps rolling.
“It’s nice to visit with older folks,” says Farmer “they’re always so happy to see me and sometimes we have a little chit chat.”
After suffering a brain injury several years ago, Farmer needed something that gave her a sense of purpose. She doesn’t drive, but that doesn’t matter; another volunteer navigates the route while she brings meals to the client’s door. WoodGreen makes this possible by reimbursing her TTC on days she volunteers and giving the driver a gas allowance for deliveries.
Four Ways We Support Independent Living
The Meals on Wheels program is at the heart of WoodGreen’s “Aging at Home” Strategy, which helps older adults stay independent in their own homes. At the same time, these efforts help keep seniors out of long term care facilities, relieving pressure on the larger health care system.
How does Meals on Wheels do that? It addresses four key areas that can prevent someone from staying in their own home.
- Safety & Nutrition:
Meals on Wheels helps eliminate the physical risks of shopping and cooking (like falls or fires) while providing medically tailored meals that prevent hospitalizations. - Active Monitoring:
Volunteers act as an early-warning system, identifying "red flags" and ensuring rapid emergency response if a senior doesn't answer the door. - Mental Well-being:
Frequent social "chit chats" and a consistent daily routine combat the depression and cognitive decline caused by isolation. - Economic Stability:
Offers an affordable alternative to expensive long-term care facilities, allowing seniors to remain independent at home for much longer.
Meals on Wheels can also provide peace of mind to families who can’t always be around to check in on their loved ones.
“My mom and dad have been together for almost 70 years! My dad was the cook of the family, as he enjoyed it so much,” said the child of one WoodGreen client.
“With his Parkinson’s disease, he was unable to make the meals he used to. Thankfully, because of Meals on Wheels they can enjoy their lunches again.”
How You Can Join the Movement
Meals on Wheels are delivered through all communities in Ontario. Last year, community organizations and volunteers delivered more than 3.2 million meals to 58,000 Ontarians.
Have two hours to spare?
There is a way to provide a lifeline to people right here in your community: Meals on Wheels.
