CAPITAL REGION CARES
CAPITAL REGION CARES
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Meals on Wheels Looking for New Space to Call Home
Nonprofit expands local partnerships and seeks to build a production kitchen to support Sacramento ’ s seniors
Currently serving more than 3,000 meals daily to Sacramento ’ s seniors , local nonprofit Meals on Wheels by ACC ( MoW ) has seen a sharp increase in the need for their services during the pandemic . That need is expected to grow exponentially , and by 2040 nearly half a million people ages 60 and older are projected to be living in Sacramento County — almost three times the number in 2000 .
To meet the rising demand , MoW has nearly doubled their meal delivery capabilities and is expanding its restaurant meal programs in partnership with local businesses . “ As we rebuild from the pandemic and strive to meet the growing needs of our region ’ s seniors , we are endeavoring to produce meals locally utilizing our region ’ s workforce and sourcing local ingredients ,” says Kevin McAllister , executive director of MoW by ACC . “ This change was prompted by our new partnerships with local restaurants such as Selland ’ s Market Café , Drewski ’ s Hot Rod Kitchen , Café Elk Grove and A Taste Above . The positive response from our community has been overwhelming .”
To support its vision of moving meal production operations to Sacramento , the nonprofit aims to build a production kitchen in Sacramento County by 2024 . With generous support from MoW ’ s funders and subsidies from the American Rescue Plan Act , the production kitchen will give MoW plenty of space to prepare meals , provide workspace for staff and store food delivery vehicles .
“ We are seeking an available building approximately 25,000 square feet in size and looking for partners to help us identify potential spaces ,” McAllister says . “ We continue to raise funds so we can serve as many of our Sacramento County seniors as possible .”
“ Thanks to increased support from the community , greater levels of funding and the vision of MoW ’ s leadership team , production will now be based locally ,” McAllister continues . “ This change will now allow us to provide fresh and culturally relevant meals for our seniors .”
“ We strive to serve as many seniors as we can so that our seniors can age in place .”
-Kevin McAllister , Executive Director
MOWSAC . ORG
64 comstocksmag . com | December 2021