How To Apply For Meals On Wheels In Houston

Meals on wheels in houston
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How To Apply For Meals On Wheels In Houston


In this guide, I will show you how to apply for Meals on Wheels in Houston. 

If you are a homebound senior who needs help accessing daily meals this program can help you. 

I’m Nick Bryant, founder of HoustonCaseManagers.com, where I help seniors and medical professionals connect to local community resources like meals for seniors. 

Today I’m going to provide you with instructions on finding a Houston Meals on Wheels contractor that deliveries to your area. Essentially the only thing you need to do is type in your zip code. 

Keep reading! 

What Is Meals On Wheels? 

Meals on Wheels (MOW) is a government food program that delivers meals to the homes of individuals (typically seniors) who lack mobility, cannot shop for food or prepare it themselves.

Meals on Wheels has been around since 1943 and provides roughly 218 million meals per year.

Who Is Eligible For Meals On Wheels? 

To be eligible for Meals on Wheels in Houston you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be 60 years or older
  • Homebound
  • Unable to shop for your meal
  • Unable to cook a meal
  • Live in the greater Houston area

If you are the caregiver, child or spouse of someone 60 + who meets all of the eligibility requirements above you can receive Meals on Wheels services.

Agency PhoneZip Codes
Northwest Assistance Ministries WebsiteMain NAM Number: 281.855.4555
MOW Number: 281.855.4622 MOW Page
77014, 77038, 77041, 77040, 77064, 77066, 77065, 77067
77068, 77069, 77070
77084, 77086, 77090
77095, 77375, 77377, 77379, 77388, 77389
77429, 77433, 77447
77484,
E.R. Jewish Community Center Website713.729.3200 or 713.595.8177 MOW Page77005, 77006, 77025
77030, 77031, 77035
77045, 77071, 77074
77081, 77085, 77096
77401
Interfaith Ministries Website713.533.4978 or 713.533.4900 MOW Page77006 77007 77008 77009 77013 77015 77016
77017 77018 77019
77020 77022 77024 77026 77027
77028 77029 77032 77036 77037
77039 77042 77043 77044 77046
77049 77050 77055 77056 77057 77060
77063 77072 77073 77076 77077
77078 77079 77080 77082 77083
77088 77091 77092 77093
77094 77098 77099 77336
77338 77339 77345 77346
77347 77373 77386
77396 77449 77450 77493
77530 77532 77536 77562
77565 77586 77598
YWCA Houston Website713.868.9922 or 713.640.6816 MOW Page77002 77003 77004 77011
77012 77021 77023 77033 77047 77048
77051 77053 77054 77061 77075
77087 77089
Baytown Meals On WheelsWebsite713.427.214577058 77059 77521 77520 77062
Salvation Army Pasadena Website713.378.0020 or 713.752.067777502 77503 77504
77505 77506 77507
City of Laporte281.470.9897 MOW Page77571
City of South Houston Website713.947.770077587 77034 77017
City of Jacinto City Website713.675.448777547 77029

What Are The Benefits Of Meals On Wheels?

Meals on Wheels provides much more than a hot, nutrient-rich meal.  They also offer homebound seniors  added benefits like the following:

Improved quality of diet

MOW not only wants to ensure that seniors eat at least one meal per day, but they also ensure that it is nutritious.

Decreased food insecurity

Whether it’s a lack of money or access to a grocery store the Meals on Wheels Program ensures that every senior have a hot meal each day.

Helps seniors save money

Many of the seniors who qualify for Meals on Wheels are on a fixed income. The daily home delivered meal helps older adults to lower the cost of food each month.

Increases human contact

Many seniors in the program lack the mobility to visit a Congregate Meals site or shop for their own groceries. This means they stay inside most of the day with no human interaction.  Meals on Wheels volunteers help seniors by providing engaging with them and checking on their physical well-being.

Helps isolated seniors with referrals

In the event a volunteer visits a Meals on Wheels client and notices a problem, they can either call 911 for help immediately or if the situation is not urgent they report this information to a Meals on Wheels team lead for further follow-ups or potential referrals.

Keep seniors in their homes

In life, eating is non-negotiable. Despite a lack of mobility individuals who receive these meals remain in their homes as opposed to being forced to live in nursing homes.

What Kind Of Food Does Meals On Wheels Provide? 

Meals on Wheels in Houston delivers nutritional meals like the following:

  • Poultry
  • Seafood
  • Beef Entree
  • Diabetic and Heart Friendly Meals
  • Vegetarian Meals

What Is The Enrollment Process For Meals On Wheels? 

To enroll in Meals on Wheels in Houston you must contact the “contractor” assigned to the zip code you live in.

Meals on Wheels agencies are assigned to specific zip codes in Houston. That agency will make the meals, gathers volunteers, and ultimately deliver the meals to low income seniors.

In the next section, we will provide you with the names of the contractors who managed the Meals on Wheels Program in Houston.

Meals on Wheels Contractors in Houston

There are 7 Meals on Wheels contractors in Houston. Below is a listing of each contractor as well as contact information:

  • Interfaith Ministries
  • Young Women’s Christian Association
  • City of South Houston
  • Northwest Assistance Ministries
  • City of Jacinto City
  • E.R. Jewish Community Center
  • Baytown Meals on Wheels
  • City of La Porte
  • Salvation Army – Pasadena

Here is more information about each Meals on Wheels agency.

Interfaith Ministries Meals on Wheels 

Interfaith Ministries is one of the contractors for Meals on Wheels in Houston.  They provide meals to seniors in a number of zip codes all over Houston.

One unique feature about Interfaith Ministries is they offer called AniMeals on Wheels. This program provides pet food for your pups and kittens. 

To ensure that their pets were fed, some Meals on Wheels clients would sacrifice their own food to ensure their pets ate. The AniMeals program was created to fix this problem.

Any Interfaith Ministry client who receives Meals on Wheels services automatically qualifies for the AniMeal Program.

For more information about Interfaith Ministries Meals on Wheels Program contact them at the following:

  • 3303 Main Street Houston, TX 77002 – 713.533.4900

Northwest Assistance Ministries Meals on Wheels

The Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) delivers meals to many of the zip codes in NW Harris County.

One unique service that NAM offers is the Food for Seniors Project.

The Food for Seniors Project delivers groceries once a month to seniors who cannot cook for themselves or have the money to afford food.

For more information about the Northwest Assistance Ministries Meals on Wheels Program contact them at:

  • 15555 Kuykendahl Road, Houston, TX 77090 – 281.855.4555

YWCA Meals on Wheels 

YWCA is the agency to call if you need Meals on Wheels in SE Houston because this is the area that they serve.

For more information on the YWCA Meals on Wheels Program contact them at the following:

  • 6309 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Houston, TX 77021 – 713.868.9922 or 713.640.6816

E.R. Jewish Community Center Meals on Wheels

E.R. Jewish Community Center also provides meal deliveries to low income seniors in Houston. Many of the zip codes that they service are between Highway 288 and the Southwest Freeway.

To learn more about their Meals on Wheels Program contact them at:

  • 5601 S. Braeswood, Houston, TX 77096 – 713.729.3200

In the next section, we’ll provide you with a table that you can use to locate the Meals on Wheels contractor that serves the zip code you live in.

Meals On Wheels By Houston Zip Code 

Below you will find a table with listings of each zip code and the Meals on Wheel contractor that services the area.

To find the contractor that delivers in your area you need to type in the zip code that you live. Once you do this the Meals on Wheels contractor will appear. Call this contractor to ensure that they serve your zip code and then ask about the enrollment process for Meals on Wheels.

Agency PhoneZip Codes
Northwest Assistance Ministries WebsiteMain NAM Number: 281.855.4555
MOW Number: 281.855.4622 MOW Page
77014, 77038, 77041, 77040, 77064, 77066, 77065, 77067
77068, 77069, 77070
77084, 77086, 77090
77095, 77375, 77377, 77379, 77388, 77389
77429, 77433, 77447
77484,
E.R. Jewish Community Center Website713.729.3200 or 713.595.8177 MOW Page77005, 77006, 77025
77030, 77031, 77035
77045, 77071, 77074
77081, 77085, 77096
77401
Interfaith Ministries Website713.533.4978 or 713.533.4900 MOW Page77006 77007 77008 77009 77013 77015 77016
77017 77018 77019
77020 77022 77024 77026 77027
77028 77029 77032 77036 77037
77039 77042 77043 77044 77046
77049 77050 77055 77056 77057 77060
77063 77072 77073 77076 77077
77078 77079 77080 77082 77083
77088 77091 77092 77093
77094 77098 77099 77336
77338 77339 77345 77346
77347 77373 77386
77396 77449 77450 77493
77530 77532 77536 77562
77565 77586 77598
YWCA Houston Website713.868.9922 or 713.640.6816 MOW Page77002 77003 77004 77011
77012 77021 77023 77033 77047 77048
77051 77053 77054 77061 77075
77087 77089
Baytown Meals On WheelsWebsite713.427.214577058 77059 77521 77520 77062
Salvation Army Pasadena Website713.378.0020 or 713.752.067777502 77503 77504
77505 77506 77507
City of Laporte281.470.9897 MOW Page77571
City of South Houston Website713.947.770077587 77034 77017
City of Jacinto City Website713.675.448777547 77029

Meals On Wheels Program For Disabled Adults In Houston

Individuals who have a disability need to call the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services at 713.692.1635 to apply for the program. 

 

Conclusion

Meals on Wheels helps low income seniors in the Houston area by delivering hot meals to their doorstep. 

The first step in setting up your meal deliveries is finding the nonprofit agency that coordinates deliveries. 

If you were unable to find the contractor who services your zip code, simply leave a comment below and I will respond with the nonprofit and telephone number that you will need to call.  

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Houston Meals On Wheels FAQ

 

Who qualifies for Meals on Wheels in Texas?

In order to qualify for Meals on Wheels in Texas, seniors must be 60 years or older and homebound due to an illness or disability. Other qualifiers include those who are unable to shop or prepare meals because of their physical condition and/or lack of available transportation. Individuals must also meet income guidelines set by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS). Additionally, some counties may have other criteria that need to be met in order for one’s application to be approved.

How much does Meals on Wheels cost in Houston?

Meals on Wheels is free to eligible senior citizens who are 60 years and older.

How can I find the Meals on Wheels provider in my city?

Visit Mealsonwheelsamerica.org and enter your zip code on the home page to find the Meals on Wheels provider in your area. The search results will give you a listing of agencies that service your area. Start by calling the agency with the “Best Match” designation because this is likely who delivers free meals to seniors in your zip code.

Who pays for the Meals on Wheels program?

Funding for Meals on Wheels primarily comes from the Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program Funding. Additionally, the program also receives funding from federal, state, and private dollars.

How many seniors receive Meals on Wheels in the US?

Almost 75 million seniors across the country rely on Meals on Wheels for their daily nutrition needs, making up around 22% of our population. Whites account for 74%, African-Americans 10%, Latinos 9%, and Asians 4%. With this statistic in mind, we can see how vital programs like Meals on Wheels are to ensure that everyone is able to receive adequate sustenance regardless of race or ethnicity.

29 thoughts on “How To Apply For Meals On Wheels In Houston

  1. Joan DePriest Moody Reply

    Why isn’t zip code 77072 included? I live in a house with another Senior citizen and we could benefit from the Meals on Wheels program.

    • Leandrea Fooster Reply

      I’ve left numerous messages on 713-533-4978 & 4900
      I’ve also signed up on your web site over 2 weeks ago and still haven’t gotten a response. My brother Kevin Young lives at 905 Adele Houston Texas 77009
      He’s a homebound dialysis patient and can’t cook for himself. His disablity has caused him not to be able to drive or stand very long. Please take a few minutes to reply so that I can set up delivery for his meals. I really appreciate you attention to this most urgent matter. Thank you
      Lee
      832-228-5628
      Foster_leandrea@yahoo.com

      • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

        Hi Leandrea hopefully they were able to follow up with you. There is a waitlist for Meals on Wheels in some areas so that could be why you have not received a follow up call.

        If your brother still does not have a caregiver, checkout this article to learn how to get a home caregiver in Houston.

  2. Gloria Sanders Reply

    Hello I’m looking for a location and number that service zip code 77026 thanks.

    • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

      Good question Lionila because I dont have them listed. If you contact Meals on Wheels Montgomery County at 936-756-5828 they can let you know about qualifications to get your family started. https://www.mowmc.org

      Also, look at Montgomery County Food Bank for even more food assistance in the area. You can call them at 936-271-8800. https://mcfoodbank.org/

        • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

          Hi Brenda try YWCA for the 77047 zip code.

          YWCA Houston Meals on Wheels 713.868.9922 or 713.640.6816.

          If you have trouble reaching them on the phone the link I added has a person you can directly email about their south Houston meals on wheels program.

  3. Lydia Reply

    Hello, I live in Dallas Tx. I would like to see how I can get my sister in this program. I have called two different numbers, but one says it is no longer in service and the other number that is for her zip code is for some contract company. My sister has lupus, is doing dialysis at home, has had heart surgery, diabetic, knees replacement (not a good outcome on that) She is in a wheelchair that she shares with her husband, who is also in dialysis, has also had heart surgery, had both legs amputated, and diabetic. Moving around is hard for them, but have been able to manage. My family that live close to them do their best, but at times it is difficult. She recently got out of the hospital for chest pain due to her heart, then was intubated due to not able to breathe on her own. She sounds very weak, and I worry that she isn’t eating much, I don’t understand why they let her go home? Can you please guide me where or who to call. I appreciate a reply as soon as you can.

    Thank you

  4. Maryann Reply

    Hi Mr. Bryant. Do you have any contacts for meals on wheels or any other food delivery programs for 77407

    • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

      Hi Maryann, hope all is well w you and your family. It appears that 77407 is Fort Bend County and while I don’t personally know much about services in the area two places you can follow up with are:

      1. Fort Bend County Health and Humans Services Department: https://www.fbchhs.org/social-services/general-assistance/case-management

      2. East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministries – Don’t think they cover that zip code but they should be able to better direct you to services https://www.humanneeds.org/

      Another option is checking the Nextdoor app. Its like Facebook, but you only see people in the zip codes near you. I’m in SE Houston, but I’ve seen lots of people from my area helping other neighbors w food delivery and directing them to local churches that are helping also. https://nextdoor.com

  5. Marilyn Bledsoe Reply

    I am a senior looking for someone to do maintenance around my home. Can you help?

  6. Michelle Reyes Reply

    Thank you for being a great help and resource for the people. ?

  7. Nilda Reply

    I’ve called and left a message with my zip code contractor, but get no response. Can I call elsewhere to see if my husband and I qualify?

    • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

      Hi Nilda, not sure which contractor you tried but maybe calling Interfaith Ministries at 713.533.4978. They have always pointed me in the right direction when I had the wrong contractor in the past. What zip code are you in?

      You can also try using the national Meals on Wheels website in the event there is a mistake on my end.

      https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/

      If none of that helps let me know and I’ll try and find your contractor for you.

      God bless!

      Nick

  8. Maria Garza Reply

    I would like to where can I get help with meals on wheels for my elder parents one is bed ridden and the other one has vision problems she can’t drive anymore.

    • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

      Hi Maria! It all depends on the zip code. Just provide the zip code your parents live in and I’ll give you the Houston meals on wheels contractor for that zip code.

  9. JN Reply

    I am trying to set up someone for Meals on Wheels in 77011 zip and the phone continues to have a busy disconnected sound??

    • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

      Just tried the number also and I received the same thing. I double checked the YWCA website and its the same 713-868-9922 number. I did however find this different number 713-640-6816 on their Meals on Wheels page. If that doesn’t work you may be able to email them: ywcahouston@ywcahouston.org.

      Thanks for the heads up on this, I’ll update this number if it’s still giving the busy signal tomorrow.

  10. Marla Reply

    Thank you for the information for MOW. Did want to let you know that the phone numbers you have listed for Northwest Assistance Ministries is wrong. It should be 281-885-4622 or 281-885-4555. You have 281-855-4622/4555.

    • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

      No problem at all Maria! Also thanks for the update. I’ll change it to the complete number just so theirs no confusion for folks!

  11. Mary Ann Carey Reply

    Dear Sir: I have been trying to get my disabled son and his disabled friend who lives here Meals on wheels, I am his mother and I am eighty years old and it is hard for me to buy and prepare for him. He also is a vet. Anthony Carey and Clifford Teakell .
    Is there a reason my son can’t get it????? or his friend?????
    I have contacted nam several times without any response.
    please help me I could the meals for myself too.
    They deliver in Jersey Village which is two miles from here.

    • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

      Hi Ms. Mary, if he is under 60 years old and disabled there is a different way to apply for Meals on wheels in Houston when you have a disability. Instead of contacting one of the nonprofits listed on this page, you contact an agency called Care Connect at 713.692.1635. They can screen your son and his friend if they are both under 60 years old and have a disability.

      Now if they are older than 60 years old, just give me their zip code and I’ll do a quick search to see which nonprofit makes deliveries in your part of Jersey Village.

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