Meals on Wheels of Lewes & Rehoboth, Inc. was organized in 1970 and funded by the Delaware Division of Aging in 1973. In its first year, this program delivered 16,609 meals to our areas homebound. By the end of the 1970s, more than 20,000 meals per year were being distributed. As client needs grew, the program expanded to include a holistic approach to providing services. Over 90,000 meals are served to homebound participants of our program each year.

There is a misconception throughout the state that Eastern Sussex County is populated with only wealthy retirees, who remain forever youthful and healthy.  Unfortunately, this is not so.  Even a more than modest retirement account can be wiped out almost overnight when catastrophic and/or chronic illness comes to call.  If you were to compare the cost of institutionalization with the cost of providing home delivered meals, you will surely see that the Meals on Wheels program is a cost effective alternative.

Our program grows at a rate of 3 - 6% per year in overall service, due to the advancing age of retirees and their increased susceptibility to life-threatening illnesses.  In addition, we anticipate the same increase in the under 60 growth rate, due to the ever-growing numbers of disabled persons under the age of 60.  Volunteers make this meal service possible.