Lancaster, PA (August 2021) – Meals on Wheels of Lancaster, Inc. (MOWL), a non-profit organization serving the Lancaster County community since 1967, has officially merged with Paradise Area Meals on Wheels. This strategic move will preserve service for the Paradise, Intercourse and Strasburg areas and provide greater efficiencies for both organizations. The merger was finalized on July 15, 2021.
From 1979 until 2019, more than seventy volunteers worked from the kitchen of Leacock Presbyterian Church in Paradise to prepare, pack, and deliver two meals each weekday to area residents unable to prepare their own meals. More than 14 area churches supported the Paradise Area Meals on Wheels program during the 40 years it was in operation as an independent organization.
While Paradise-based volunteers continued to deliver meals to existing routes in recent years, it became increasingly critical that the organization find a larger partner to manage food service, client management and volunteer onboarding in recent years. That’s where MOWL stepped in. The organization has provided Paradise Area Meals on Wheels with hot and cold meals starting in 2019, with more assistance on the way.
New Opportunities for Growth
“This strategic merger has been an ongoing process over the past several years, and we are thrilled to officially bring Paradise Area Meals on Wheels into the fold,” said Feleen Nancarvis, Executive Directors, Meals on Wheels of Lancaster, Inc. “As the largest Meals on Wheels program in the county, we are continuously looking for ways to support smaller organizations, ensuring that there are no food gaps or service disruptions for our area seniors.”
Meals will continue to be prepared by MOWL staff and volunteers. The meals are then dropped off at the Together Community Center in Paradise where volunteer drivers pick up to deliver to clients. To inquire about available volunteer opportunities or to receive home-delivered meals, please visit: www.mealsonwheelsoflancaster.org
ABOUT MEALS ON WHEELS OF LANCASTER, INC. Founded in 1967, Meals on Wheels of Lancaster, Inc. is a non-profit organization offering ready-to-eat meals to persons with physical or mental handicaps, the elderly living alone and those who have limitations during convalescence from illness or injury. Prepared in-house by a combination of paid staff and volunteers, meals are faithfully delivered Monday through Friday including weekday holidays. In 2020, the 868 volunteers delivered more than 200,000 meals to 996 clients. Learn more about Meals on Wheels of Lancaster: www.mealsonwheelsoflancaster.org.
