The Osceola Council on Aging (OCOA) has provided numerous food assistance programs to the Osceola area for over 53 years since 1971. In 1975, through our efforts, OCOA became the designated provider for Meals on Wheels (MOW).
Over the past 50 years, as our community’s population has grown, so has the need for additional nutritional support social service programs. Recognizing this need, we initiated mass meal services through OCOA Dining Clubs. We added food pantries in Kissimmee and St. Cloud. The MOW program currently supports over 2,000 Osceola households and has provided nearly 5 million meals to residents since its inception.
As the MOW program has evolved, it has expanded its reach to serve older adults and adults with disabilities who would otherwise lack proper nutrition. In 2023, MOW provided a total of 2 million pounds of food from food pantries and delivered approximately 200,000 meals.
Nationally, Meals on Wheels America serves more than 5,000 communities across the U.S., with Osceola County being one of the largest. The program is an ever-growing and expensive undertaking, so local fundraisers, community partnerships and volunteers are an integral part of the MOW initiative.
To date, there are over 320 active volunteers who have worked over 30,000 hours supporting our agency in 2023. A significant number of volunteers who support MOW’s mission include the Osceola Association of Realtors, Solivita Group Realtors, Kissimmee West Rotary Club, Osceola County Board of Elections, volunteers from the Property Appraiser’s Office, and numerous local residents and volunteer organizations. With that being said, we are currently seeking additional volunteer drivers to deliver meals on routes in Celebration, Kissimmee, and St. Cloud.
As mentioned above, our MOW program is a “nutritional need” for most seniors. However, because a significant percentage of seniors live alone, we consider the program a “social need” for many of these same seniors. The program also helps volunteers build better relationships with their clients and provides a consistent means of maintaining regular contact and communication.
Anyone over 60 who is physically or mentally unable to prepare a balanced meal or who does not have someone to prepare it for them can apply for MOW. Donations are welcome and sponsorship is also being sought. A minimum donation of $10 will provide two meals a day for one senior.
If you are looking for volunteer opportunities within the Osceola community and would like to help local seniors, consider joining our Meals on Wheels volunteer team. By volunteering just a few hours per week, you can help meet the demanding demands of delivering meals to 350 clients.
For more information about volunteering, contact Nora Ghazi, Meals on Wheels Supervisor and Volunteer Coordinator, at 407-933-9527.
Finally, to all existing MOW volunteers, thank you for your kind, compassionate and generous service to our beloved Osceola seniors.
