AWCA Resource Center
AWCA Resource Center

In-Home Care

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels helps seniors live independently, improves their health, and promotes social connection by delivering meals directly to their homes.

Beyond just providing food, it is a welfare service that delivers the warmth of community care, supporting many seniors so they can stay healthy in their own homes for as long as possible instead of moving into a nursing home.

Key Features

  • Home-Delivered Meals: Meals are delivered during lunchtime from Monday to Friday (5 days a week). Each meal consists of a nutritionist-planned, balanced diet, including a main dish, vegetables, bread, fruit, milk, and dessert.
  • Social Interaction: Volunteers provide companionship and check on the recipient’s well-being while delivering meals.
  • Safety and Wellbeing Support: Helps prevent malnutrition among seniors, maintains independence, and ensures they can live safely.
  • Community-Based Operation: Operated through the participation of various local non-profit organizations and volunteers.
  • Cost: The service is free, but a voluntary donation of $1.25 per meal is encouraged. Services are provided regardless of whether a donation is made.
  • After registering for the service, a representative will visit your home every six months to conduct an assessment for continued eligibility.

Eligibility

  • Seniors aged 60 or older, or their spouses and caregivers.
  • Individuals with disabilities (ages 18–59): Those living alone who have difficulty preparing meals due to physical or mental disabilities (permanent or temporary). Eligibility can be determined through a doctor’s note (Medical Necessity) or other documentation proving disability status
  • Homebound status (unable to leave home without assistance), inability to purchase groceries or prepare nutritious meals independently, having no family or friends to provide help, and not receiving home care services for more than 4 hours per day (Eligibility is granted only to those receiving 4 hours or less).
  • Non-recipients of Long-Term Care Medicaid (MLTSS).

*Specific eligibility requirements may vary by region and operating agency.

Meals on Wheels Services in Northern New Jersey

AgencyPhoneHoursService Area
Bergen County Division of Senior Services201-336-6000Mon ~ Fri

8am ~ 4pm		33 towns including Bergenfield, Cliffside Park, E. Rutherford, Edgewater, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Fort Lee, Leonia, Palisades Park, Ridgefield, etc. *Check link for full list
Meals on Wheels North Jersey201-358-005024/7 Inquiry available32 towns including Alpine, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Dumont, etc. *Check link for full list
Community Meals, Inc.201-447-8295Mon ~ Fri

10am ~ 2pm		Allendale, Glen Rock, Ho-Ho-Kus, Midland Park, Ridgewood, Waldwick, and parts of Saddle River
Essex County Office of Senior Services973-395-8375Mon ~ Fri

10am ~ 2pm		All of Essex County
Jersey City Meals On Wheels201-547-5750Mon ~ Fri

8am ~ 4pm		All of Jersey City
Middlesex County Nutrition Services732-745-3295Mon ~ Fri

8:30am ~ 2:30pm		All of Middlesex County
Passaic County Nutrition Services973-569-4099Mon ~ Fri

8:30am ~ 4:30pm		All of Passaic County
Rockland County Meals on Wheels845-624-6325Mon ~ Fri

9am ~ 5pm		All of Rockland County
KCS NJ Home-Delivered Meals Program

*Korean Meals Provided		201-212-1054Mon, Wed, FriFort Lee, Leonia, Palisades Park. [Check link for details]

Application and Contact

  • Meals on Wheels Application
  • Contact your local Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC).
    • Meals on Wheels Hotline: 201-336-7420 (월–금 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
    • Bergen County Division of Senior Services
    • NJ ADRC Toll-Free Hotline: 1-877-222-3737
  • AWCA provides counseling free of charge (201-862-1665 / info@awcanj.org).

Resources

In-Home Care