Home Delivered Meals Continue With Increased Choices and Flexibility

Allegan, MI — The Allegan County Board of Commissioners approved continuing and enhancing Home Delivered Meals to eligible seniors through a service contract awarded to Meals on Wheels Western Michigan at its meeting on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. This contract was recommended by the Allegan County Commission on Aging at the February 18, 2026, meeting following a Request for Proposal process. The updated service model is designed to improve reliability, expand flexibility for participants, and ensure the long-term sustainability of services for local seniors.

Under the new model, eligible seniors will select nutritious frozen meals from an expanded menu of options and receive delivery on a customized schedule. This approach allows participants more personal choice in their diet and their daily schedule to eat at times that best meet their individual needs.  Delivery will also serve as an in-person visit and check-in, preventing senior isolation and enhancing senior safety. Seniors will continue to receive the same number of meals weekly.

Home Delivered Meals is one of five core services funded through the Senior Millage and administered by the Allegan County Senior Services Department.  The In-Home Support program can provide additional interaction and services for seniors in need beyond meal delivery.

“This change allows us to serve seniors more flexibly and reliably while remaining responsible stewards of the senior millage funds,” said Sally Heavener, Commission on Aging Chair. “Our priority remains helping older adults live safely and independently in their homes.”

Senior Services staff will provide guidance and direct support to participants during the transition period, which is anticipated to occur between March and April 2026.  The transition will focus on maintaining service continuity without delivery gaps and on automatic enrollment for existing clients.  Seniors currently receiving meals do not need to enroll or participate in an assessment initially to continue receiving meals.

Meals on Wheels Western Michigan (MOWWM) is a community-based non-profit organization serving seniors in Allegan and Kent counties from a service center in Grandville. MOWWM has served seniors in Allegan County since 2016. This home-delivered meals service is an expansion of the HDM service MOWWM currently provides to seniors in Allegan County under the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan.

Information on the transition plan or how new seniors can sign up will be posted on the Allegan County Senior Services webpage, beginning with Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), with additional information to follow. www.allegancounty.org/seniors

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