Meals are delivered to the homes of persons who are over 60 years of age and older who are unable to prepare hot nutritious meals on a regular basis and are homebound (unable to drive to a meal site, a restaurant or to get groceries) or to persons under 60 years of age, who are disabled or terminally ill and who are unable to prepare hot nutritious meals or drive to a meal site, a restaurant or go grocery shopping on a regular basis. Meal recipients over 60 are asked to contribute a donation towards the meal ($3.25/meal) and those under 60 must pay the full cost of the meal (currently $6.60 with delivery). Low income persons may be eligible to have their insurance pay the full cost of the meal. Please ask if you need help determining if you qualify.

Volunteers from your community deliver the meals over the noon hour.

Partially funded by: Older Americans Act (Title III), Southeastern Minnesota Area Agency on Aging (SEMAAA), United Way of Faribault, United Way of Goodhue, Rice and Pierce Counties, Community Funds/Drives of Pine Island, Wabasha, Greenfield and Cannon Falls, civic organizations, such as American Legions, Lion Clubs, VFW's, etc., and additional generous donations from businesses and individuals.

Purpose of Program - Outcome for clients: The program is designed to provide a hot nutritious noon meal once a day (usually five days a week) to home-bound persons over the age of 60 who are unable to prepare their own meals. In addition, we meet with each individual to discuss nutrition and additional services that are available in their area to aid them with remaining independent and "aging in place".

Service provided includes: Nutritious noon meals prepared by local caterers, then delivered by volunteers; an in-person visit by our Program Coordinator to help you look at your nutritional needs, additional needs for improving your likelihood of continuing to live at home.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Persons 60 years of age or older who are unable to prepare hot nutritious meals on a regular basis and are homebound (unable to drive to a meal site, a restaurant or to get groceries).

• Persons under 60 years of age, who are disabled or terminally ill and who are unable to prepare hot nutritious meals or drive to a meal site, a restaurant or go grocery shopping on a regular basis.

• Participants must be able to feed themselves or have someone available who can feed them.

• Residence in one of the communities we serve. If a person lives outside of the city limits delivery may not be available. Call for details. We encourage family members to help deliver meals in rural areas. The participant's nurse, aide, or homemaker may also pick up the meal on their way to the participant's home.

• A caregiver or spouse may receive a meal if their caregiving prevents them from being available to make hot nutritious meals. If the caregiver or spouse is over 60, a contribution is requested; if they are under 60, they must pay the full cost of the meal. For further questions, please call.

• Compliance with the guidelines provided in this handbook and with the regulations of the program is required.

• Persons needing meals on a temporary basis while recuperating from an illness or operation and fitting the above eligibility.