In-Home Delivery of Noon Meals

Meals with Wheels

Bacoa’s Meals with Wheels program provides hot, nutritious meals to older adults who cannot prepare meals for themselves because of poor health or low income. We work with local restaurants Monday through Friday to bring balanced noontime meals to tables throughout the Barrington area.

We believe it’s more than just a meal. It’s about feeling independent, dignified, and having one less thing to worry about. This meal-delivery service empowers our older adults to live safely and independently in their own homes while living better-nourished lives.

Deliveries are made by local organizations and volunteers. In addition to weekday meals, these volunteers also provide a smile and a daily safety check. Many participants choose long-term meal delivery, but meals are also available on a short-term basis after a hospitalization or rehab stay.

  • In-home delivery of hot, noontime meals five days a week
  • Access to food and promoting nutrition
  • Delivered by friendly volunteers
  • Bacoa served 3,831 meals this past fiscal year

For more information about Meals with Wheels, please call Bacoa at (847) 381-5030.

Young Woman Delivering a Boxed Meal to an Older Couple

Bacoa’s Meals with Wheels is for older adults who are:

  • Homebound
  • Have limited mobility
  • Unable to shop for groceries
  • Unable to prepare their own meals
  • Recovering from a recent surgery
  • Facing financial hardship

Food Insecurity Can Look Different Between Households

Older adults should never have to choose between a nutritious meal and paying for other daily essentials like medication. However, that’s the reality for many older adults in our area. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. There are two degrees of food insecurity:

  • Low food security: reports of reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet. Little or no indication of reduced food intake
  • Very low food security: reports of multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake

Before the pandemic, 8.6 percent of older adults in Illinois were food insecure. New research found a nearly 60 percent increase in older adult food insecurity during COVID-19. This increased need means Meals with Wheels is more crucial than ever.

Meals with Wheels Logo

We’re here for you.

Bacoa is your connection to helpful resources. Our team is ready to assist with any aging-related needs. We look forward to connecting with you.

847-381-5030

info@bacoa.org