Meals on Wheels

SAGE Eldercare’s Meals on Wheels was established in 1966 and was one of the first meal delivery programs in New Jersey. Professionally planned and prepared meals are delivered to individuals age 60 or older.

People who are frail, homebound or disabled are eligible for Meals on Wheels.  This includes those recuperating from an illness, those who are mentally or physically impaired, those without family or friends to shop for them, or those needing a special diet. There are no income requirements.

SAGE Eldercare delivers meals to: 

• Berkeley Heights
• Chatham and Chatham Township
• Millburn
• Mountainside
• New Providence
• Short Hills
• Springfield
• Summit

Meals are delivered Monday through Friday. They can be scheduled for the short term or indefinitely. For those in Union and Essex County, we can deliver a Saturday meal if the client is alone and has no additional help. Volunteers deliver between 11:00 am and 12:30 pm.  Clients must be home to receive their meals, unless special arrangements are made. It is important that contact is made each day to ensure the client’s safety.

Call the Meals on Wheels office at 908.273.5554, Monday through Friday between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm, to make arrangements.  Information will be taken and delivery can be started as soon as two business days later.  In emergency situations, we can often supply a meal or food items sooner.

Menus are planned by a registered dietician. Residents of Morris and Essex Counties receive a hot lunch and cold supper, the equivalent of two-thirds of the daily recommended allowance. In Union County, residents have the choice of receiving just the hot meal, or the hot meal and cold supper. All meals include milk. In some areas we are able to provide special diets, including diabetic, pureed, renal and cardiac. All meals are relatively low in fat and sodium.

Caring Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver meals and visit briefly with program participants.

SAGE Eldercare receives funding from some government agencies, the United Way and private contributions, which helps underwrite the cost of the Meals on Wheels program.  Each month a statement is mailed asking for a suggested contribution.

Download a copy of our Caregiver's Guide of Services booklet to learn more >>