Meals on Wheels and More (MOWM)

Meals on Wheels on Lummi Island

Meals on Wheels and More is a program administered through the Bellingham Senior Activity Center and serves Lummi Island through the Lummi Island Community Association (LICA)
Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, the average number of clients served was seven per week. Since March, that number has increased to 20 clients per week.

Who is eligible for Meals on Wheels?

The program provides home delivered meal service to homebound individuals who are:

• • Age 60 years or older and
  • Homebound and
  • Unable to shop for and/or prepare healthy meals for themselves because of a disabling condition, lack of knowledge or skills, lack of means, or lack of incentive
  • Spouses/partners, disabled dependents, and unpaid caregivers of eligible participants are also eligible to receive meals.
  • You can use the service temporarily when rehabilitation from illness or injury prevents you driving, shopping, and preparing meals. Other circumstances may qualify.

For residents of Lummi Island, the ferry may be a barrier to shopping or getting food for senior Island residents. Meals on Wheels have been extremely helpful for Islanders recovering from surgery or recuperating from an illness. It can be short term or long-term help.

The Meals

• • Up to 7 meals per person per week.
  • The meals are nutritionally balanced frozen meals delivered weekly by volunteers who live on Lummi Island. The meals can be heated in a microwave or conventional oven.
  • Meals come with reduced fat milk and whole grain bread.
  • Meals are delivered on Monday mornings. If you are not at home, you need to leave an ice chest on your porch. Frozen meals cannot be left outside. Be sure it’s large enough for meals, milk and bread.
    PLEASE be sure that there are no Wasps in the area.

And More?

Lummi Island residents may receive additional produce, generously donated by Lummi Island growers. Cookies and other treats have also been provided, from time to time. The Ferndale Food Bank has provided shelf stable food boxes including tuna, rice, beans, peanut butter, cereal, applesauce, milk and juice. Full Bloom Farm also provides fresh produce in season.

How do I sign up to receive Meals on Wheels?

You can call Pam Wifler, the MOWM volunteer coordinator for LICA. She can complete the intake process and provide a list of meals to choose from. She can be reached at 425-894-2512 via Voice or Text.

If you prefer, you can call the Meals on Wheels and More office: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm at 360-746-6480.

Either way, you will be asked some basic questions and given information about the delivery. The Meals on Wheels registered dietitian generally will visit you after you have received meals to see how you like the meals and if you might need other services.

How much will I be charged for the meals?

Meals on Wheels meals are offered on a donation only basis. We suggest a donation of $3.00-$5.00 per meal, or whatever is affordable. Client donations help cover the cost of providing the meals. Meals on Wheels accepts donations by cash or check.

We will still deliver meals to you regardless of your ability to donate.

Donations from the community are always welcome.

This helps assure that your neighbors will continue to have this resource available.  Donations may be given to the delivery volunteer or a check can be sent to:

Meals on Wheels and More
315 Halleck Street
Bellingham, WA 98225

Or you can drop by and Donate with Cash, Check or Credit Card at the Main Front Desk. 
           Monday – Friday: 8:00am to 4:00pm and Saturday: 9:00am to 1:00pm
The MOWM office itself is located on the lower level of the Bellingham Senior Activity Center and is part of the Whatcom Council on Aging, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Contributing Island Businesses & Organizations

Full Bloom Farm – Fresh Produce

In past years Full Bloom Farm donated almost 1,000 Lbs. of fresh produce to Lummi Island MOWM participants.

Full Bloom farm has been providing fresh island grown vegetables to up to 20+ Meals on Wheels recipients on Lummi Island as a welcome addition to the prepared meals delivered by MOW volunteers.

Eight Lummi Island MOW volunteers have helped Full Bloom Farmers, Olivia, Roger, Lis and Mark wash and pack freshly harvested produce every Sunday afternoon since May 23rd.

MOW volunteer drivers then pick up the bagged produce on Monday mornings and deliver to MOWM recipients. During the course of this season lots of kale, rainbow chard, perpetual spinach, bags of mixed salad greens, stir fry mixes, green beans, carrots, baby potatoes, bunches of scallions, and celery are some of the tasty items that have found their way to the MOW clients on the island.

Thank you to the Full Bloom Farmers Olivia, Roger, Lis, and Mark as well as MOW veggie washers & packers Beth, Carrie, Christine, Ginny, Joan, Mary, Ray, and Rhayma for their assistance to far this season.

Ferndale Food Bank

The Ferndale Food Bank has provided shelf stable food boxes including tuna, rice, beans, peanut butter, cereal, applesauce, milk and juice.

Lummi Island Grange

Each year during DryDock the Grange lends us space in their Refrigerators to store our Island deliveries of Milk which are bought in advance via your donations.

Volunteering

To help as a delivery driver on Lummi Island please contact Pam Wifler 425-894-2512 (call or text)  or email pswmc526@gmail.com

You can also directly begin the volunteer process at this link: whatcomcoa.org/volunteer-application 

_{Updated: 2023/06/05 @ 11:15 am Tark Henderson}