CINCINNATI — With the number of older Americans rising rapidly, Meals on Wheels of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky has launched a $30 million campaign aimed at expanding its services to meet growing demand.

What You Need To Know

  • Meals on Wheels Southwest OH & Northern KY recently launched the new $30M "Driving Into The Future" campaign

  • The campaign has already allowed MOW to purchase a 51,000-square-foot facility, more than doubling its current space

  • So far, $22 million has been raised and the organization is now calling on the community to help close the gap

The “Driving Into the Future” campaign is a direct response to what experts are calling a "silver tsunami.” One in four Americans is now over the age of 60, according to Meals on Wheels America, and that figure is expected to reach 91 million by 2030.

“This will hopefully springboard many conversations and really educate the community on what we're trying to accomplish,” said Mike Dunn, CEO of Meals on Wheels of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky.

The campaign has already allowed the organization to purchase a 51,000-square-foot facility, more than doubling its current space. The new facility will help consolidate operations and improve coordination among staff, Dunn said.

“It’ll be great being under one roof and being able to literally see each other daily,” he said. “That will really help us improve what we do, respond to issues faster, and ultimately serve older adults better.”

Currently serving 13 counties and around 10,000 older adults annually, the organization expects the new facility to triple its reach to 30,000 older adults and double its annual meal production to 3 million.

“The number of drivers going out into the community, the volunteers packing meals to make it happen, thinking about doing that on a larger scale is just amazing,” said Mary Wagner, a member of the board of directors.

Meals on Wheels America estimates that more than 12 million older adults in the U.S. struggle with food insecurity. For clients like Otis Miller, the support is more than a meal, it's a lifeline.

“I think they give you so much food for one person that you have to break it down,” said Miller, a client of four years. “I love what they do for me. Now, I’m going to start volunteering.”

Besides boosting meal delivery, the campaign will fund the expansion of a private-pay meal service, the launch of a wholesale business platform, and increased investments in transportation and technology.

So far, $22 million has been raised toward the $30 million goal. The organization is now calling on the community to help close the gap.