PROVIDENCE, RI – In honor of “March for Meals,” U.S. Senator Jack Reed today joined Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island (MOWRI) to deliver the organization’s 21- millionth meal to a local senior citizen, highlight the critical services the organization provides to homebound Rhode Islanders, and thank volunteers for making a positive difference in their communities.

MOWRI’s “More than a Meal” model provides clients with safety-assuring wellness checks and an opportunity for socialization. Volunteers get to know the clients they deliver to and become a trusted resource, offering not just nutrition but a sense of connection and support. These regular visits help combat the social isolation many older adults face, providing a valuable lifeline to both physical and emotional well-being.

Maintaining a robust volunteer base is always a challenge for any service organization, and MOWRI is fortunate to have a dedicated group of some 500 annual volunteers, which is key because demand for its programs continues to grow.

In 2025, MOWRI is serving approximately 34 percent more daily meals to homebound Rhode Islanders than five years ago. In 2024, the Home-Delivered Meal Program served more than 400,703 meals to 3,158 homebound clients statewide, including on Block Island.

This morning, Senator Reed met with Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island team members and volunteers before visiting the home of Ms. Patricia Capuano, in Providence.  Meghan Grady, Executive Director of MOWRI; Christina Pitney, Board President of MOWRI and Senior Vice President, Government Programs of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI; and other supports joined Senator Reed for today’s visit.

As a MOWRI Home-Delivered Meal Program client for the past year, Ms. Capuano has described her trusted volunteer delivery drivers as a vital part of her life, emphasizing the importance of both the meals and the personal connection they provide.

“Meals on Wheels of RI is a critical program run by incredible people and volunteers.  The compassion, hope, and connection that volunteers serve up are just as important as their nutritious, prepared meals to keep older Rhode Islanders aging safely, comfortably, and independently right at home.  At a time when hunger in older populations continue to rise and critical nutrition assistance programs are being threatened, it is clear that MOWRI and its terrific team of volunteers play a critical role in keeping our seniors well-connected and well-fed. Visiting Ms. Capuano and delivering MOWRI’s 21-millionth home-delivered meal was truly the highlight of my day,” said Senator Reed, who today delivered a meal of chicken ziti broccoli casserole, vegetables, and hot cinnamon apples.

“The delivery of our 21-millionth meal marks a major milestone in our organization’s history, an accomplishment that has been made possible in large part by Senator Reed and the unwavering support of the entire Rhode Island Congressional Delegation,” said Meghan Grady, Executive Director of MOWRI. “Today’s milestone delivery also highlights the promising future ahead as we prioritize food is medicine and expand our programs to deepen our statewide impact. We are grateful for the ongoing support of community champions, donors, and volunteers who have been instrumental to our success.”

Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island is a critical link in the state’s network of senior nutrition programs, both congregate and home-delivered.  The program’s meals are delivered through 24 meal dispatch sites around the state.  Meals on Wheels of RI largely relies on federal sources of funding to deliver food to homebound seniors in need to help them remain healthy and safe living in their own homes.

A member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Reed has been recognized as a Congressional champion of the Meals on Wheels program and has led efforts to secure funding for Older Americans Act (OAA) programs, which assists Meals on Wheels with serving millions of Americans across the nation.

Founded in 1969, Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island is the only non-profit home-delivered meal program of its kind in the state.  In order to qualify for home-delivered meals, clients must be over the age of 60, homebound, no longer driving, unable to prepare food themselves. About 80 percent of Meals on Wheels clients nationwide are classified as “low-income or extremely-low-income,” according to an internal study by Meals on Wheels America.

To learn more about volunteering with MOWRI, visit: https://www.rimeals.org/