Do I qualify for Meals on Wheels?
Salem-Keizer meals on wheels volunteers deliver hot, nutritious noon-time meals to homebound seniors and adults of any age who are unable to shop or prepare meals for themselves due to illness or disability.
How do I sign-up?
To receive home-delivered meals, just call our office. Phone: (503)364-2856. A phone volunteer will get you started by asking you where you live, when you’d like to start, and a short list of other questions. Meal service typically begins within 24 hours.
What if I don’t need meals for very long?
Many of Salem-Keizer Meals on Wheels client’s are short term meal recipients. It doesn’t matter if you need meals for as little as a week’s time or if you’d like to become a long-term meal recipient, we’re here to help.
Where are Salem-Keizer Meals on Wheels meal sites located?
Salem-Keizer Meals on Wheels has two meal sites:
First Christian Church, 685 Marion St NE – Salem
Center 50+ City of Salem Senior Center, 2615 Portland Rd NE – Salem
Lunch is served between 11:30 am -1:00 pm, Monday – Friday, depending on the location. Seniors, active retirees, disabled adults, caregivers and family & friends are all welcome. (Meal cost is detailed below.)
What do the meals consist of?
Salem-Keizer Meals on Wheels menus are chef inspired and reviewed by a Registered Dietician who certifies that each meal (with milk/juice offering) meets one-third of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for older adults. Each meal consists of a hot main dish, a starch, 2 vegetables or fruit, a fresh roll, and dessert.
What if I’m a diabetic or have other food restrictions?
Salem-Keizer Meals on Wheels meals are prepared to meet the “moderate” nutritional guidelines of both the American Heart & Diabetic Societies. A diabetic alternative for dessert can be requested with your meals; and recipients may request that a hot meal substitute be prepared for them on those days when we serve ham, pork, sausage, or fish.
How much do the meals cost?
$3.50 for home-delivered meal
$4.00 for meals served in-house at one of our meal sites
*Please include an additional cost of 50 cents per meal for Milk or Juice
How do I make payments?
Meals are paid for per meal at the sites. The standard payment method for home delivered meals is monthly by mail; however, Salem-Keizer Meals on Wheels also offers credit card payments as well as EBT or Food Stamp purchases.
Is financial aid or other assistance available?
Yes. If you receive assistance via Medicaid or Oregon Project Independence (OPI) funding, your meal service may be covered under either of these programs. If you are a food stamp recipient, you may use your food stamp dollars to pay for some or all of the cost of your meals. Finally, if you do not qualify for assistance elsewhere, Salem-Keizer Meals on Wheels offers financial aid on a limited basis to those who qualify – including seniors who visit our meal sites.
When are meals delivered?
Meals are delivered between 11:15am and 1:00pm, Monday – Friday.
Most are delivered within the hour of 11:30am – 12:30pm.
What about weekends and holidays?
Salem-Keizer Meals on Wheels does not deliver on weekends and in observance of the following holidays: New Years, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Frozen meals can be requested for these days. They are generally delivered on Fridays or the day prior to a specific holiday.
What if I’m not going to be home or need to cancel for awhile?
Just call the office if you need to suspend, discontinue or resume your meal service.
One day in advance of any changes is preferred; however, same day changes can be made up to 10:00am.
If you don’t think you’re going to be home in time to receive your meal, you can call to be “off” for the day or you can make arrangements with the office to have your meal left with a neighbor. You can also provide a cooler and request that your meal be left in it outside your door. For the client’s safety, food is not left unless suitable arrangements have been made.
Are there other ways to donate?
There are several other ways you can support Salem-Keizer Meals on Wheels financially:
Fax a credit card payment to us:
Some people are nervous about giving credit card information over the internet. You can fax us a credit card donation by completing the linked form. You will receive a Salem-Keizer Meals on Wheels tax receipt by mail.
Download form
Mail a check or money order to:
Salem-Keizer Meals on Wheels
685 Marion Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
If you provide a donation in honor of someone, we will send them an acknowledgment card and list the donation on our website. Similarly, if you make a donation in memory of someone, we will send their family a card and list the donation on our website.
Planned Giving:
Make a Bequest – You may specify distribution of your assets through your will. You should always work with your attorney to draft or change your will. Bequests to Salem-Keizer meals on Wheels will not be taxed as part of your estate.
Life Insurance – You can specify Salem-Keizer Meals on Wheels to be the beneficiary of life insurance.
Appreciated Assets – Gifting appreciated assets (typically equities, or stocks) can provide a significant tax advantage. Your gift would provide you an income tax deduction equal to the current value of the asset, a higher value than your original cost. As long as the asset is classified as a long term capital gains property (held for at least 12 months), you also avoid paying capital gains taxes on the growth of the asset.
For example, if you gift a stock purchased for $5,000 that has appreciated to a value of $15,000, the value of your tax deduction would be $15,000. (If you sold the stock, $10,000 of appreciation could be subject to capital gains taxes). As a nonprofit organization, Salem-Keizer Meals on Wheels is not subject to capital gains taxes and benefits from the fully appreciated value of your gift.
Donor-Advised Funds – A Donor Advised Fund gives the donor the ability to set up a donation to qualified nonprofit organizations and have the funding managed by a third party who provides oversight and due diligence, while still allowing the donor to maintain ultimate control over how and when the funds are granted to the recipient.
Thank you for considering Salem-Keizer Meals on Wheels, please feel free to contact of our office at 503-364-2856
if you have any further questions. We’re happy to help!