30 Days of Giving, Day 26: Meals on Wheels

This is part of a 30-day series of ways Patch community members can give back this holiday season. We hope you'll take part in this 30 Days of Giving and take the spirit beyond the holidays, because there truly is need all year long.

Give a taste of the holidays

The request for meals for homebound seniors is on the rise, especially during the holidays for the Meals on Wheels program, which delivers meals to homebound seniors unable to prepare food for themselves. According to the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) 1-B, which aids seniors in Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties, Meals on Wheels delivers around 7,300 meals throughout the area during the year's six major holidays, includng Christmas and Hanukah. 

While weekly meals through Meals on Wheels are covered through government funding, holiday meals are not, meaning the nonprofit is looking to the community more than ever. You can donate money directly to Meals on Wheels or AAA 1-B in order to the purchase the food; according to AAA 1-B, one holiday meal typically costs $6 through the program.

You can also sign up to deliver the meals, giving homebound seniors the gift of company when they might otherwise be alone for the holidays. To contribute to the Holiday Meals on Wheels program, visit the AAA 1-B website at www.aaa1b.org or call (800) 852-7795.

Area Meals on Wheels providers and contact information include:

• Bloomfield Township Senior Services
  Serves: Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township and West Bloomfield
  (248) 723-3500
• 
  Serves: South Central and Southeast Oakland county, including: Berkley, Beverly Hills, Birmingham, Clawson, Ferndale, Franklin, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Lathrup Village, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak Township, Southfield and Troy.
  (248) 689-0001
• Kosher Meals On Wheels
  Serves: Oakland County
  (248) 592-2311
• 
  Serves: Addison Township, Auburn Hills, Brandon Township, Clarkston, Independence Township, Lake Angelus, Leonard, Oakland Township, Orion Township, Oxford Township, Rochester and Rochester Hills.
  (248) 608-0264

Do you have an idea for the 30 Days of Giving? Send your idea to Editor Jen Anesi at jen.anesi@patch.com.

Previous days

• Days 1-10
• Days 11-20