Our Mission
Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County enhances the lives of older adults by offering quality meals, and caring human contact.

Home Delivered Meals
A daily visit and a nutritious meal help support independence for vulnerable elders and disabled residents.

Dine in the Company of Friends
Additionally, four senior dining centers located in Live Oak, Ben Lomond, Santa Cruz and Watsonville offer a daily hot meal to adults 60 years of age or older.

Over 7 million meals served to date!

Volunteers are extremely important to the delivery of program services. With the help of over 200 committed volunteers, our dedicated professional staff are able to provide 900 meals per day to Santa Cruz seniors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Home Delivered Meals
• Who is eligible for the program? The program is for older adults, 60 years or older, unable to take care of their own nutritional needs.

• What about persons under the age of 60? We have a limited number of spaces for non-senior handicapped people. Call for more information..

• What is the charge for a meal? A donation of $2.50 is suggested for each meal.

• How many meals are delivered a day? One meal is served around midday, and it is delivered frozen and ready to re-heat in order to accommodate different meal schedules.

Our senior dining centers
offer warm meals and a
great place to develop
friendships.

“I don’t know what I’d do for food if you did not deliver my ‘meal a day.’ I’d just go hungry, I guess.”

– Lewis, a Capitola resident

Music and entertainment
are enjoyed at our senior
dining centers.

“Rain or shine I make it a point to get to the dining center, not only for the delicious food, but for the fellowship of my peers. I didn’t know anybody the first several months, and now I enjoy several friendships.”

– Irene, a Santa Cruz resident

• What about the nutritional content of the meals? All of our meals are carefully planned in consultation with our dietitian.

Dining Centers
• Who is eligible for the program? The program is for any adult, 60 years or older.

• Do you have to be low income? No

• Do I need a reservation for the dining center? Yes, please call one day in advance.

• Is transportation available? Yes, Lift Line provides transportation. Please call the Dining Center Manager for complete information about the available transportation. (see phone numbers below)

• Where are the Dining Centers located? (see below)

Senior Meal Times and Locations
At all locations, meals are served Monday-Friday

Lunch Sites
Highlands Park Senior Center
Meal site hours: 9:30-1:30
Lunch served at 12:00 noon
8500 Highway 9, Ben Lomond
(831) 336-5366

Louden Nelson Community Center
Meal site hours: 10:00-2:00
Lunch served at 12:00 noon
301 Center St., Santa Cruz
(831) 427-0901

Watsonville Senior Center
Meal site hours: 8:00-1:00
Lunch served M, W, Th, F at 11:45, Tuesday at 11:30
114 East Fifth St., Watsonville
(831) 724-2024

Dinner Sites
Elena Baskin Live Oak Senior Center
Meal site hours: 1:30-5:00
Dinner served at 4:00 pm
1777 Capitola Road, Santa Cruz
(831) 475-7177

Administrative Offices
Meals on Wheels
1777 Capitola Road
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 464-3180

Information on Volunteering

Community Members
• Volunteers are always needed for home delivered meals. Meals are dispatched from 10:00 am – noon, Monday through Friday from our kitchen location in Live Oak.

• Dining sites are great places to get to know the seniors in your community. Assistance at the site with meal service, phones, clerical support or entertainment is welcomed.

Business Supporters
• Opportunities for business involvement with our “Let’s Do Lunch” program are also available. Meals are delivered to your business for dispatch near the business location. To volunteer please call (831) 464-3180 ext. 22

Links
Senior Network Services

Valentine's Appreciation Luncheon for
our volunteers.