Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQ
In addition to providing nutritious meals, this volunteer-based support service allows members of the community to remain in their home as an alternative to costly retirement or nursing residences. Daily visits from Meals on Wheels volunteers provide a caring contact, peace of mind and support to their loved ones and themselves.
Please call the Meals on Wheels office at 613-233-2424. Service can be requested by individuals, family members, friends or any health care personnel. There is also an online application.
Financial support comes from:
- The Ministry of Health through Ontario Health East
- The City of Ottawa
- Individual donations
- Service clubs, community and church groups
- Businesses
- Bequests
- In memoriam donations
Meals on Wheels/La Popote roulante (Ottawa) is a registered charitable organization. Income Tax receipts are issued for charitable donations. Charitable #11898 1778 RR0001.
Meal Program FAQ
Payment may be made by cheque or money order payable to Meals on Wheels (Ottawa) or by arranging for a pre-authorized payment plan. We also accept VISA, Mastercard, e-transfers or cash, if it is brought to our office.
- Seniors 60+
- Adults who are chronically ill
- Adults who are differently-abled
- Adults convalescing from surgery or illness
- Adults undergoing medical treatment
Yes. As Meals on Wheels is a not-for-profit service, the cost is kept to a minimum through fundraising and government funding.
Hot meals cost $8.60 each. Frozen meals from Apetito are $53.12 for a package of seven entrées, or five entrées and five soups or desserts. Individual Apetito frozen entrées are $8.00, and frozen soups and desserts are $3.65. TimeSaver entrées are $9.30, and soups are $5.30.
It is important that you let us know if you have dietary restrictions so that we can help you meet those needs. Diabetic desserts are available in the hot meal program. The frozen meal program offers a variety of main dishes, soups and desserts and clients can select their own special diet menu such as: vegetarian, pureed, minced, low-sodium, and gluten free.
The hot meals are prepared fresh by numerous kitchens throughout the city and are overseen by licensed dietitians. The hot meal suppliers are:
- Centre d’acceuil Champlain
The Good Companions Seniors’ Centre
Garry J. Armstrong Long Term Care Centre
St. Patrick’s Home
The frozen meals are prepared by Apetito and TimeSaver Foods, both local suppliers.
Our trained volunteers are individuals from your community. They not only deliver meals, but also provide a social contact while checking in on the well-being of the clients.
Hot meals are delivered around the noon hour, Monday through Saturdays.
Frozen meals are delivered Tuesdays if you live west of the Rideau Canal and Fridays if you live east of the Rideau Canal (including Hog’s Back and Meadowlands east of Fisher Avenue).
If a client does not answer their door/ buzzer, volunteers are instructed to contact the Meals on Wheels office staff, who will try to reach the client by phone. If the client can not be reached, the meal delivery for that day will be missed and a charge for the missed meal will still apply. To ensure the clients’ safety and security, if the client can not be reached by phone later that day, we will reach out to their emergency contact and should that not be possible, a police wellness check may be sought to ensure the safety of the client.
Please contact the office, they will be happy to review your requirements and make appropriate changes. Call us at 613-233-2424.
Hot Meal Program FAQ
No, there is no minimum requirement for hot meals. You can receive meals 1 to 6 days per week. We have flexible short term or ongoing meal service; no obligations, no contract. You can stop deliveries simply by letting us know.
Hot meals are not available on statutory holidays except for the special Christmas Day meal.
Hot meals are available on most Saturdays. We do not currently have Sunday service.
Yes, you may choose to order both hot and frozen meals. A staff member will be more than happy to help you customize a program to meet your needs.
Yes, a hot meal may be cancelled (for example, if the client has an appointment over the noon hour) by calling 613-233-2424. No fee will be charged for a meal that is cancelled before 9:00 a.m. the day of delivery.
Clients may also make arrangements with the office to leave their meal with a neighbour on days they will not be home due to appointments. We cannot leave a meal unattended at the door.
Frozen Meal Program FAQ
No. Frozen meals are ordered on a week-to-week basis. If you would like a frozen food package for the following week, you must submit your order by:
- 10:00 a.m. Tuesday for those in the west service area
- 10:00 a.m. Friday for those in the east service area.
- See our Service Map to check which area you are in.
If you would like weekly delivery but are unable to place an order each week, please contact our Client Coordinator to discuss alternate arrangements. at 613-233-2424.
Volunteer FAQ
Volunteers are welcome and always needed! Would you or someone you know like to become a volunteer? Training is provided. Please see the Volunteer page for more details.
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