1.  What’s in a ‘Meals on Wheels’ meal?

The nutritious and low-sodium meals are kid friendly.

Each meal may include the following:

  • 1 serving of a lean protein (beef, chicken, or pork)
  • 1-2 servings of starch (potato, pasta, or rice)
  • 1-2 servings of vegetables

And recipes may include:

  • Chicken tenders with mashed potatoes
  • Spaghetti with meat sauce
  • Chicken fajitas
  • Tukey with gravy and green beans

Additionally, delivery will include a box of shelf stable food and fresh produce.

Items included in the box of shelf stable groceries will vary. A typical box may include:

  • Apple sauce
  • Fresh produce, like oranges, celery, tomatoes, apples, carrots
  • Fruit cups
  • Juice boxes
  • Pasta
  • Peanut butter
  • Rice
  • Soup
  • Vegetables, canned

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2. How are the meals prepared? 

Various local community partners prepare and package our meals throughout the three county area. Meals are delivered in recyclable containers. A rotating menu insures variety. Note: Each day’s menu is prepared, packaged, and delivered under strict food safety guidelines to minimize the risk of contamination.

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3. Who is eligible to receive Meals On Wheels for Kids?

Meals On Wheels for Kids is a program of Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger, a private, non-profit organization. MOW4Kids is committed to ensuring all children have the food they need during school closures. The services of Meals On Wheels for Kids are available to children ages 18yrs and younger in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas Counties who rely on the national free and reduced lunch program and/or have difficulty leaving their homes to pick up grab-n-go meals from distribution sites.

Meals On Wheels does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, gender, disability, or national origin.

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4. Do I live in the Meals On Wheels for Kids service area?

Meals On Wheels for Kids serves people who live in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties. For specific zip codes, click here.

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5. How much does the service cost?

There is no cost to Meals On Wheels for Kids meal delivery service. Donations may be mailed to 4532 W. Kennedy Blvd., Ste. 252 Tampa, FL 33609 or made online by clicking here. 

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6. Is there a waiting list?

Meals On Wheels for Kids does not have a waiting list and makes every attempt to bring the program to anyone who needs the services.

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7. When are the meals delivered?

Meals are delivered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays, between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, depending on your address.  Please be ready to accept your meal during this time. Sometimes meal delivery may run late due to unforeseen circumstances.  Please be mindful that volunteers use their own time to deliver.  An adult must be home to receive meals, unless you have arranged with the office prior for the meal to be left with a neighbor. 

Note: It is very important that clients be at home when meals are delivered.  If a client expects to be away during their normal delivery time for any reason, they must notify the Meals On Wheels office the day before by calling (813)344-5837 before 12:00 p.m. If not, you may be removed from the program.

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8. Who delivers the meals?

The meals are delivered by trained, background checked volunteers who are the heart and soul of the program, and whose warm, friendly visits means so much to our clients. Volunteers may deliver by driving their own vehicle or by riding along on a school bus- the mode of transportation varies by area. Please be mindful that volunteers use their own time to deliver weekly meals.  Without their selfless dedication, we could not serve the meals we provide each week in this community.

We are constantly looking for additional volunteers to deliver meals. If you think you’d like to volunteer, even for just one day per month, please click here to learn more about volunteering with Meals On Wheels for Kids. These dedicated individuals make it possible for us to deliver thousands of meals each week across Tampa Bay.

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9. Why do you ask for an emergency contact?

When applying for meals you will be asked to provide the office with an emergency contact. This information is used if we come to deliver and nobody answers the door or the telephone.

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10. What is a wellness check?

We are more than a meal. Our volunteers are trained to report any concerns to the office. When our volunteers come to deliver they will ring the bell or knock loudly. If they do not get an answer they will call the office to let us know that they have not seen you. The office will then try to call you and then your emergency contact. If we are unsuccessful at reaching you or an emergency contact, we will call the police to do a wellness check. If signs lead to a possibility that you could be inside and injured or ill, the police will enter your home.

If the volunteer arrives and there is a reason to call 911, they will do so and then call the office, who will notify one of your emergency contacts. We will ONLY share your personal contact information with Emergency Personnel if they need to assist your family.

To avoid any concerns, please make sure that your child’s information is up to date and that we have good emergency contact numbers and head of household numbers.

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11. What if I don’t make it to the door in time to get my meal?

If someone does not answer your door at delivery, we will not be able to redeliver at a later time. Health code regulations prohibit us from leaving meals unattended outside your home, or in a cooler, under any circumstances.

If a driver reports that there is no answer at your home, a wellness check will be performed; this includes calls to the head of household and the emergency contact. You will receive a mark on your account. If you receive 3 marks, you will be asked to step off of the program.

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12. If no one is home, can the driver leave the meal by my door?

No, volunteers cannot leave meals by the door, on the front porch, or in a cooler outside under any circumstances. If no one is home to receive the meals and you have not notified us, we will try to find you by first calling you and then by contacting the emergency contact that you gave us upon starting the service. We also do not want to risk food-borne illness by leaving the meals out without knowing when they will be refrigerated or consumed. If you call the office before 12 p.m. the day before (Friday for Monday delivery), we can arrange to leave the food with a neighbor if you are not going to be home. If not, you may be removed from the program.

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13. Can I suspend service for a couple of days without being canceled from the program? What if I go out of town?

Yes. If you call the office before 12 p.m. the day before the cancellation, we can accommodate your needs. You can suspend service for up to 30 days without being canceled from the program. When you want to resume service, you must call us by noon at least 5 days before.

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14. How many meals are available?

At least 5 meals per week. 

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16. Do you have special diets available?

Meals On Wheels for Kids cannot accommodate special diets at this time.

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16. What if there are particular foods on the menu my child won’t eat?

Meals On Wheels for Kids cannot accommodate food preferences at this time. Please try and have extra food on hand to use if you receive something your child does not like.

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17. How do I get meals on holidays or in bad winter weather?

Meals On Wheels for Kids is closed on all school calendar holidays, including but not limited to New Years Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day (Thursday & Friday) and Christmas Day. Meals for holidays or closures are delivered the week prior.

Hurricane Preparedness Packs are delivered in mid May. These packs are shelf stable and are to be held in reserve should meal delivery have to be canceled due to inclement weather. Meals On Wheels for Kids may cancel delivery if the weather is hazardous. Staff will call to notify recipients if service is canceled for that day. Local radio and TV stations may also announce closings- listen for “Meals On Wheels for Kids” – not to be confused with the County program (Area Agency on Aging/Neighborly Care Network).

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18. How do I heat my frozen meal?

Frozen Meal Heating Instructions

Microwave: Slit to vent. Heat 3-5 minutes on high.
Oven: Slit to vent. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place meal on cookie sheet. Heat for 30 minutes or until 165 degrees.

DO NOT USE TOASTER OVEN UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES

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19. Where is your office? When are you open?

Meals On Wheels for Kids is a program of Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger, a non-profit organization. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. The office is closed on all federal holidays. The mailing address is 4532 W. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 252, Tampa, FL 33609.

If you have any other questions or want to start meal delivery please call the office at (813) 344-5837 or by completing a Meal Service Application.

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