Every year, Meals on Wheels serves more than 2 million seniors nationwide, but that number represents only a fraction of those still waiting for help.

Imagine waiting months, even years, for nutritious meals and meaningful moments of connection. That is the heartbreaking reality for too many older adults across the country. Today, 1 in 3 Meals on Wheels providers has a waitlist for home-delivered meal services. The average wait time is four months, but some seniors wait longer than two years.

Government funding is not sufficient to meet the growing demand for Meals on Wheels services, and only 1% of philanthropic donations nationwide support senior-focused causes. As a result, too many aging neighbors, including right here in St. Lucie County, are left waiting for essential support.

We are working to change that. Your generosity fuels our efforts to ensure that every senior in our community who needs Meals on Wheels receives it, without delay. The money raised here in St. Lucie County goes directly to help those seniors in our beloved community.

About Council on Aging of St. Lucie, Inc.

Council on Aging of St. Lucie, Inc. (COASL) was founded in 1973 by 25 dedicated volunteers who sought to provide a daily hot meal to local seniors — the predecessor to today’s Meals on Wheels program.

Over the years, COASL has grown significantly in both scope and impact. In addition to Meals on Wheels, the organization now provides a wide range of services, including homemaking, respite care, adult day care, social senior services, and other supportive programs. These services reflect COASL’s mission to promote independence and delay premature placement of seniors into long-term care facilities.

COASL serves as the designated Lead Agency for St. Lucie County under the Community Care for the Elderly (CCE) state-funded program. The organization contracts with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) through the Treasure Coast Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to deliver essential services to older adults throughout the county.

Meals on Wheels Community Awareness Walk

HELP END THE WAIT FOR SENIORS

Team Members