This program enables homebound or convalescing residents of Winona and Goodview to receive a nutritious lunchtime meal delivered to their home if they are unable to prepare their own meals or attend a congregate dining site.

Some recipients receive meals on a short-term bases; others for a longer period of time. Clients either pay for the meals themselves or are covered through a Winona County Waiver Program. Please call the WVS office for a current price quote, or call Community Health at 457.6400 regarding eligibility to the waiver program. Self pay recipients are billed on a monthly basis, based on the number of meals delivered to the home.

Who may obtain this service?
In order to qualify for the Home Delivered Meals Program, a person must be:

• Physically or mentally impaired and unable to prepare adequate meals for themselves
• Homebound or unable to drive
• Live alone or with no other adults willing to prepare meals for them
• Be home between 10:30 A.M. and 12:30 P.M. to receive meals

Who prepares the meals?
WVS contracts with Steak Shop Catering to prepare the meals.

Are special diets available for those that need it?
A person has the option of ordering a regular meal or a diabetic meal. The only difference between the two meals is the dessert. No additional salt is added while preparing the meals; however, salt is contained in the prepared gravies, soups and other canned foods used in making the meals.

What are the meals?
The meals include a meat-based entree, a vegetable, a fruit, and a dessert. The menu rotates every four months. Clients receive a new menu each time this happens

How are the meals delivered?
Volunteers deliver the meals between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Meals are not delivered on Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and the day after Christmas, and New Years Day.

During inclement weather, meal cancellations may happen if volunteer drivers feel they cannot drive safely. We will announce cancellations on the radio and on the Winona Volunteer Services answering machine, 452.5591. Staff may also call you personally.

For more info or to sign up for Home Delivered Meals, call the Client Services Coordinator at Winona Volunteer Services, 452-5591.

Program History
Home Delivered Meals officially started in the spring of 1971 when Sue Steiner, a Winona Public Health Nurse, brought the idea of providing hot meals to clients unable to make their own meals to a meeting of local service organizations. By that Fall, a board of directors was created, recipients were accepted, volunteers were recruited and the first six meals were delivered.

The original supplier of the meals was Watkins Home. When the program outgrew the Watkins kitchen in 1972, Winona State University prepared the regular meals while Watkins Home prepared the diet meals. Then in 1978 Community Memorial Hospital provided the diet meals when Watkins Home could no longer handle the numbers of meals served.  When the program was first founded meals cost $1.25.

Just to clarify, this is not the same program as “Meals on Wheels”. It was never subsidized in any way by the Federal Government, nor was it ever connected with SEMCAC. Originally financed by membership dues and special contributions, the program came under the wings of Winona Volunteer Services sometime in 1984.

This program was founded by volunteers and continues to rely heavily on volunteer support. In November 1971, 159 meals were delivered; in 1985 18,217; in 2006 26,382 meals were delivered. The program has grown to 11 routes with approximately 15 stops per route. It took a minimum of 55 volunteers per week to serve an average of 126 clients 26,382 lunches in 2006.  Meals without milk cost $3.55 and they are  delivered Monday through Friday except on seven national holidays.