Meals On Wheels Chicago Launches New Volunteer Program

Photo provided by Meals on Wheels Chicago.
Photo provided by Meals on Wheels Chicago.

Meals On Wheels Chicago Launches New Volunteer Program

By Tia Carol Jones

In response to changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Meals on Wheels Chicago has launched a new initiative. Snap Together Volunteers offers opportunities for seniors, ages 55-64, to volunteer at the Nourish Chicago Pantry.

The change to SNAP requires Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) ages 18-64 to work, participate in employment and training programs or volunteer at least 80 hours each month to receive benefits. The change was made as part of H.R.1, which was signed into law on July 1, 2025.

Meals on Wheels Chicago was founded in 1987, with a mission to ensure that Chicago seniors and people with disabilities benefit from programs that improve their quality of life and maximize independence. Its vision is for a community where all of people’s basic needs are met and barriers to independence are eliminated.

According to Meals on Wheels Chicago, 4.7 million meals were provided through meal delivery and pantry programs this past year; 22,000 seniors were helped this past year; and 5 tons of food were distributed at every Nourish Chicago Pantry.

Elise Geiger, Executive Director at Meals on Wheels Chicago, said the new SNAP eligibility requirements pose a challenge for older adults and exacerbate the vulnerability to be food insecure. She said with rising food costs and older adult’s financial restraints, the organization wanted to provide help to ensure people could receive necessary nutritional support. She said dignity is one of Meals on Wheels Chicago’s guiding principles, so it was a straightforward decision for the organization to launch the volunteer program.

Meals on Wheels Chicago are celebrating its 39th year and will turn 40 next year. Geiger said after COVID, the organization saw a greater need to follow seniors throughout their aging journey. The organization started the Nourish Chicago Pantry in 2022 and added pop-up produce markets and expanded to provide educational cooking classes, led by chefs across Chicago.

Meals on Wheels Chicago also began to provide wellness items after realizing people didn’t have the resources to cover food and essentials like laundry detergent and toothpaste. Geiger said each one of the pantries will see about 300 people come through any given day. She said she believes the reason why there is so much need for Meals on Wheels Chicago’s food pantry is because a lot of the people it serves are at or below the poverty level and they might not have access to a grocery store.

“One in six seniors, they don’t know where their next meal is coming from. So, it’s a lot of people to help and we’re there for the cause, but there is a lot more unmet needs that we’re trying to cover, as well,” she said.

Geiger said residents can help with the work Meals on Wheels Chicago does by advocating for the organization, sharing about the organization on social media, volunteering and financial support. She said $25 can feed eight seniors. That money goes immediately to Meals on Wheel Chicago’s work to help feed seniors.

Geiger said that dignity and compassion is a large part of Meals on Wheels Chicago’s mission. She said the organization believes that everyone deserves to lead a full and healthy life and wondering where the next meal is coming from should not be something seniors should have to worry about.

Upcoming Pantries will take place from noon to 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24th, March 24th and April 28th, at the Central West Senior Center, located at 2102 W. Ogden. For more information, visit www.mowc.org.


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