Nutrition Programs
Nutrition Programs
Texas Department on Aging statistics indicate that up to 85 percent of Texans over age 65 or 90,000 Tarrant County residents are at risk of malnutrition due to risk factors, including isolation, poverty, disability, chronic prescription drug misuse and poor dietary choices.
Locally, we fund two programs addressing the nutritional needs of older Tarrant County residents:
Congregate Meals at Senior Centers
Senior Citizen Services of Greater Tarrant County serves hot, delicious meals five days a week, in a home-away-from-home environment at 28 senior centers.
These centers also offer health assessments, nutrition education, physical fitness, advocacy, creative arts, legal clinics, volunteer opportunities, confidential information and referral, and other activities.
All people age 60 and older and their spouses are eligible for the congregate meal and senior center programs. There are no income limits or restrictions. Meals are served on a donation basis. Lunch reservations are required by noon the preceding day. To find the Senior Center nearest you, call Senior Citizen Services at 817-338-4433.
Home Delivered Meals
Meals On Wheels Inc. of Tarrant County prepares and delivers meals to homebound disabled and elderly people. Over 2,200 well-balanced meals are prepared each day and delivered by caring volunteers to persons living throughout Tarrant County.
Meals On Wheels addresses the nutritional and social needs of its clients, enables them to remain at home avoiding costly institutionalization, and helps them avoid isolation.
Persons must be homebound, unable to prepare a meal for themselves and have no one able to prepare a nutritious meal for them. Eligibility is based on need; there are no age or income criteria. Each client and/or prospective client is paired with a professional caseworker who assesses his or her needs, coordinates other needed services and advocates for Meals On Wheels clients with other agencies.
The meals, daily contact by caring volunteers and professional case management allow many frail, homebound persons to remain in their own homes.
For more information about the organization, or to volunteer, call 817-336-0912 or visit the Web site at www.mealsonwheels.org.
