Mission

We enable people to age at home with dignity by providing a compassionate check-in, nutritious meals, and grocery delivery.

Our Purpose

To enable our participants to maintain the highest possible level of independence in their homes, while at the same time helping to combat feelings of isolation.

Our History

Locally, Meals on Wheels Erie was founded in 1971, by Reverend Al Gesler, from Lawrence Park, PA. Reverend Gesler and several individuals from Lutheran congregations were looking for ways to serve East Erie communities. They knew there was a need to deliver meals and kindness to the homes of the most elderly and frail residents of East Erie.

Early on, they partnered with the Visiting Nurse Association to deliver meals to the poor, disabled, and elderly who could not prepare meals for themselves. Eventually, the organization was taken under the wing of The United Way and it grew to deliver meals in the wider Erie Area. A few years later, Meals on Wheels Erie spun off as an independent agency and was incorporated in 1976 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Volunteers became the foundation and the heartbeat of the organization. Without them, there would be no Meals on Wheels Erie.

Originally meals were delivered to clients furnished by GECAC through a contractual relationship. Gradually new programs were added such as the private pay over age 60 program, the under age 60 County funded program, and the grocery shopping and delivery program. Our territory in Erie County expanded to cover from North East to Girard, and south to Edinboro and Waterford.

Reverend Al Gesler passed away in 2021, while still serving faithfully on our Board of Directors.

Today our organization continues to be a strong, viable resource for our community.