JFS Offers Mobile Meal Program

Jewish Family Services, like many social service agencies, has a history of providing many different services, normally responding to the needs of the community served. One such program we offer is our mobile meal program. There are other home delivered meal programs in the area, but what makes ours unique is that the meals are kosher, meeting the dietary rules of those in the Jewish community who are observant of the religious restrictions.

Historically, the meals were provided, normally only temporarily, to those who lived alone and were acutely ill or recovering from a hospital stay. Currently, our kosher meals are delivered mostly to the elderly population throughout the Mahoning Valley. Our mobile meal program receives referrals from Direction Home of Eastern Ohio (formerly known as Area Agency on Aging) and those who qualify for Passport services. These qualifying consumers are on a fixed income and qualify for Medicaid. Almost all of the individuals we serve are homebound, alone, and unable to leave their residence independently. JFS staff members speak with them weekly, determining allergies, food preferences, and delivery dates. The weekly contact also serves as a bridge to ensure the other needs of our consumers are met.

Deliveries are Mondays and Tuesdays with the exception of Jewish holidays. Many of our clients receive one to two weeks of meals in each delivery. Currently, JFS employs two part-time staff members who assist with calling consumers and packing meals and delivering the meals. All of our frozen meals are produced at Heritage Manor Rehabilitation & Retirement Community by the cooking staff. Meals are delivered frozen and are easily heated and ready to be served. Our mobile meal program serves a wide range of clients throughout the Mahoning Valley, delivering anywhere between 350 to 1,000 meals per month. Meals can also be purchased on a private pay basis for $6 per meal for those who don’t qualify for Passport services. Jewish Family Services is a proud partner with United Way of the Mahoning Valley, who assists our agency with funding to make this program possible.