History
In response to a plea from the Hospital Chaplaincy Committee of the Calgary Presbytery of the United Church in 1965, a study was undertaken by the Presbyterian United Church Women into the needs of the elderly living alone and those being discharged from hospitals with no help available during their convalescence. On November 30, 1965 the Calgary Church Women’s Community Care was incorporated and in 1976 the name was officially changed to Calgary Meals on Wheels.
In addition to the United Church, the Anglican, Baptist, Catholic and Presbyterian Churches supported the movement while interested volunteers and service clubs answered the call for help and proved to be the backbone of the fledging organization. The United Way and the City of Calgary have also played a vital role in the success of this community service.
On November 15, 1965 the first meal service started serving eight clients. By 1982 the number of clients had increased to in excess of 380 per day, requiring a move to a larger centre at our current address. In 2005, Calgary Meals on Wheels celebrated our 40th Anniversary, having never missed a meal delivery in our 40 year history, delivering to some 1900 clients, plus services to several unique programs.
The organization is governed by a Board of Directors, all of whom are volunteers.
A pool of some 750 volunteers donate just under 75,000 hours of time a year to deliver meals five days a week within Calgary city limits.
Calgary Meals on Wheels current budget stands at just over the 2 million dollar mark with funding sources coming from sale of meals, Private Donors, Clients, FCSS, The United Way, The Calgary Foundation, Alberta Lottery Fund and special event fundraising.