Bloomington Meals on Wheels (MOW) began in 1973 through the dedication and foresight of a few area women from the local council of women who saw the need for nutritious low-cost meals to be delivered directly to the homebound throughout the city of Bloomington. Through sheer tenacity and private funds, the first meals were delivered on February 18, 1974 to four clients by three volunteers. In less than a year, the organization operated 4 routes within the Bloomington city limits
Today, MOW operates 10 routes with the capacity to serve on 120 clients and has over 300 volunteers delivering more than 5,000 meals a month to those unable to prepare food independently due to illness, serious disability, or advanced age. Through the support of both IU Health Bloomington Hospital, Meadowood Retirement Community, and Garnish Catering, nutritious meals are offered to clients at an affordable cost. Volunteers donate their time and vehicles to deliver meals Monday through Friday.
For 36 years, Meals on Wheels was operated solely by volunteers. In August, 2010, Kathy Romy was hired as the first paid Executive Director of the program. Romy oversaw the daily operations of the organization, including increasing exposure of the organization’s mission to the community. A partnership with Bloomington Hospital Foundation was forged in 2010 to lend annual fundraising support. Funds raised assist Meals on Wheels to expand programming and include eligible clients unable to pay for the service.
In July, 2012, the 7th delivery route was established in our first expansion since 1996. Meals on Wheels celebrated its 40th year of service in 2013 and marked the occasion with several events and celebrations throughout the year, including being honored with the Be More Healthy Award from the Bloomington Volunteer Network and Be More Awards. In 2017, Bloomington Meals on Wheels was awarded the Serve Indiana Award for Excellence for Outstanding Volunteer Program. It honors the outstanding Hoosiers who have answered the call to service and volunteerism in their communities so passionately. Also in 2017, Bloomington Meals on Wheels became a home delivered meal Medicaid waiver provider. In 2018, Bloomington Hospital Foundation became Bloomington Health Foundation.
In 2019, Kathy Romy retired and Carrie McHaley was hired as the Executive Director of the program. Challenges abounded in 2020 with a global pandemic, requiring MOW to rethink our entire operation and recruit significant amounts of new volunteers. New partnerships with Community Kitchen resulted in the addition of route 8.
IU Health Bloomington Hospital transitioned to a new facility and MOW was required to find a new home. After a long search, MOW settled in Executive Park North on North Walnut Street in January of 2021. Continued increased need and exceptional fundraising over the course of the pandemic allowed for significant expansion at the end of 2021 and 2022. A 9th route was added and a partnership with Hoosier Hills Food Bank prompted the development of Groceries to Go, a mobile food bank. A part-time program coordinator was hired to manage Groceries to Go.
In 2025, Bloomington Meals on Wheels added a 10th route to serve Ellettsville, serving a maximum 120 clients medically-tailored meals Monday-Friday, and approximately 50 clients with food pantry delivery bags weekly. A new part-time client coordinator and part-time volunteer coordinator joined the team to improve service to the growing client and volunteer population.
