Our Mission
Our mission is to meet the nutritional and social needs of those we serve so that they can maintain safe and independent lifestyles.
Since 1969, Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island’s programs and initiatives have worked to help homebound older adults and other at-risk Rhode Island residents receive increased access to adequate nutrition, safety assurances, and socialization.
Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
our vision
A Rhode Island where all seniors live well-nourished lives with independence and dignity.
our values
MOWRI CARES are the values that we commit to our team, Board, and volunteers to uphold in every interaction with each other, with those we serve, and with our community.
Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, Steadfastness.
our history
Gerontologist Joseph Brown (1924-2014) established Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island on Feb. 17,1969 to deliver nutritious meals and provide friendly visits to a small group of homebound older adults in Providence, R.I. In its first year, the organization served 17 clients through a single delivery route.
The 1972 amendment to the Older Americans Act, establishing a national nutrition program for seniors, allowed expansion of this Home-Delivered Meal Program to statewide service.
In 1979, Meals on Wheels of RI marked the delivery of one million home-delivered meals.
Over the next decades, additional programming and initiatives were added to further the organization’s impact in helping clients to maintain safe and independent living, including congregate dining, pet food delivery, and delivery of holiday “wishes.”
Meals on Wheels of RI celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019, welcoming Executive Director Meghan Grady that same year. Over the next three years, the organization continued operations without disruption throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and, in summer 2022, celebrated delivery of its 20-millionth home-delivered meal.
In 2023, we are operating under MOWRI 2025, our three-year strategic plan that is guiding us to increase our statewide impact. We are serving more than 1,300 meals each weekday and helping more than 3,000 clients across the state, including on Block Island, to experience improved health and safety.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Meals on Wheels of RI is committed to, and continuously engaged in, building organization practices that reflect our commitment to diversity, cultural competency, and inclusion.
Our diversity and inclusion policies encompass all identities and characteristics in which people differ from one another – including but not limited to race, ethnicity, race, gender, gender identity, age, ability, national origin, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, education, marital status, HIV status, military status, and immigration status.
Equity in the workplace ensures fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all people. Inclusion is the act of creating an environment that welcomes, respects, and values all individuals.