By Sue Berg
Independent Living, Inc.

When Tennyson Senior Living Community opened late last fall, it became home to several residents. The building at 1936 Tennyson Lane also became the new home of Evening Meals on Wheels (EMOW), previously located at another senior community, The Gardens, near Hilldale Shopping Center.

At Tennyson, the first-class commercial kitchen was planned with both residents and EMOW in mind. It was underwritten in part by a grant from the Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Foundation.

“At the former location, the smaller footprint of the kitchen was a factor limiting our capacity to grow the Evening Meals on Wheels program,” said Brian Miller, CEO of Independent Living, Inc. “Moving the program to Tennyson gives the staff more room to prepare more meals. It increases our opportunities to serve more clients who need good home-delivered meals.” 

EMOW helps seniors stay healthy and at home. Good nutrition encourages health and muscle support. Muscle support helps with balance and preventing falls, the leading cause of head injury and hip fractures among seniors.

“Health status is taken into consideration when a client comes into the EMOW program,” said Rob Severson, program manager. “We know that many chronic health issues require special diets, and that’s something we can cater to. Ours was the first meals program locally to introduce a two-gram low sodium diet, which is important to individuals who have congestive heart failure,” Severson said. Additional options include diabetic, vegetarian and gluten-free. All menus, prepared a month in advance, are reviewed by a registered dietitian from UW Health. The quality of the meals and the EMOW program overall was recognized by the national Meals on Wheels America organization, which awarded EMOW its highest accreditation. 

The quality and affordability of the meals keeps Betty Garvey ordering more. “This program saves me a lot of money. Each meal is less than the cost of eating breakfast at my favorite breakfast place,” said Garvey. She also enjoys the friendly volunteers.

“Volunteers are essential to the success of the program. Their generous hearts help keep costs down and meals affordable. They do more than deliver a fresh, homemade meal to the client’s door,” Severson said. “They’re a touchstone between the senior and the world. In just a few minutes of socializing, our client knows that someone cared whether or not they answered the door. That ‘check in’ is as important as the meal itself.” 

Also important to the program — and especially the clients served — are donors whose charitable giving supports the program. A notable example is UW Health, a key partner for several years. 

For seniors and adults with disabilities who want a fresh-made, nutritious meal delivered, enrollment in EMOW is easy. Contact Rob Severson at 204-0923 or write to meals@independentlivinginc.org. 

Independent Living, Inc. (ILI), which operates EMOW, Tennyson, The Gardens and other services and senior communities, is a 501(c)(3) charity and has been serving senior meals since 1973, when the nonprofit was founded.