
48 Years Young…
Meals on Wheels Bermuda began serving the elderly and people with disabilities in 1975. At the outset, meals were purchased from the hospital kitchen by the organization and then delivered to recipients. Initially the service was confined to the central parishes but over the years has expanded to encompass 17 routes from St. George’s to Somerset.
The number of meals supplied by the hospital was limited but the demand for the service grew and our waiting list of potential recipients expanded. The organizing committee of the day realized that alternative arrangements would have to be made.
In 1977, Meals on Wheels undertook the entire operation of food purchasing, preparation and delivery from the kitchen of St. Paul’s Christian Education Centre in Paget. This proved an ideal location as it was centrally located with ample parking. St. Paul’s was to be our temporary home until MoW could develop its own headquarters.
A great deal of time, effort and fundraising went into the purchase of land at our current location on South Road in Paget. The “kitchen committee” quickly became the Building Committee and ground was broken on 27th November, 1995 with a roof wetting on 2nd April, 1996. Occupancy took place in September of that year and the kitchen was put to the test delivering approximately 140 meals on 30th September.
The building was officially opened on 15th October 1996, the twenty-first birthday of Meals on Wheels. The ribbon was cut and a plaque unveiled by His Excellency the Governor, The Right Honorable Lord Waddington GCVO, PC, QC.
From humble beginnings, Meals on Wheels has grown into a vital community service organization. We now prepare and deliver a nourishing lunch to up to 220 individuals four days a week. We are most grateful to our hard-working staff, our dedicated volunteers and the donations of food, services and financial assistance from generous supporters who make it possible.