Meals on Wheels Keeps Rolling, Bringing Nutritious Food to Clients Across the North Shore

lamb meatballs

At local nonprofit Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois, everybody eats. 

While the world hunkered down last June, the organization placed the finishing touches on a new Evanston kitchen to fully execute its mission: serving homebound individuals across the North Shore with nutritious and tasty food. Over a year later, staff and up to 30 volunteers cook, pack and deliver fresh meals to clients from Evanston to the Wisconsin border on a daily basis. 

One client’s daughter commented that Meals on Wheels NEI’s menu is “outstanding … not ‘rehab food.’” The new kitchen facility, helmed by Chef Sam Landman, revitalizes mundane meal service, instead offering mouthwatering dishes such as salmon patties with homemade tartar sauce; Thai peanut chicken; and a wheat berry, butternut squash and kale bowl. 

steak and cheese quesadilla

In addition to supporting a menu of fresh and nurturing food, Meals on Wheels NEI’s new kitchen propels the organization’s impact behind its catchphrase, “more than a meal.” Clients begin service because of health and life changes such as aging, disability, dietary changes, recent widowing, or recovery from illness and surgery. Volunteer drivers, many of whom deliver food to the same individuals weekly, build relationships with clients and perform daily well-being checks on those whose loved ones cannot. In fact, the Meals on Wheels driver’s visit is the highlight of the day for two clients in Deerfield, according to their son.

The team of staff and volunteers at Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois continue to expand the area of service across Lake County for individuals of any age and financial situation who are experiencing trouble leaving the home. Visit the Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois website for more information about this powerhouse movement, or to register those in need of support. 

Meals on Wheels NE Illinois is located at 1723 Simpson St., Evanston, IL 60201. For more information, call (847) 332-2678.


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