The Mountainland Association of Governments provides nutritious lunch meals to seniors throughout the MAG service area, offering both community center dining and home-delivery options for residents in Summit, Wasatch, and Utah counties. According to MAG, while individuals aged 60 and older can access these meals via suggested donations, those under the age of 60 must pay a required $6 fee per meal.
Community Dining and Pricing Structures
Community Dining and Pricing Structures
Seniors residing in the MAG service area may attend any local senior center to access hot, nutritious lunchtime meals, regardless of which specific city they call home. However, the organization specifies that individuals may only receive a meal at one senior center per day.
Pricing for these meals is based on age. For individuals aged 60 and older, as well as the spouses of those 60 and older, the suggested donation is $3 per meal. For those under 60 years of age, a required fee of $6 per meal is mandatory.
In Summit County, several locations provide these services. The North Summit Senior Center in Coalville serves lunch on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon. The Park City Senior Citizens Center offers lunch on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 1 p.m. The South Summit Senior Center in Kamas serves lunch on Mondays and Thursdays at noon.
Nutritional Standards and Dietary Accommodations
Nutritional Standards and Dietary Accommodations
To ensure the meals support healthy aging, MAG consults with a registered dietitian when designing menus. Each meal is intended to be a lunch meal and includes a balance of protein, vegetables, fruit, grains, and milk. These meals are designed to meet low-sodium and heart-healthy requirements and provide one-third of the recommended daily intake for older adults.
MAG also provides accommodations for various special diets. These include options for specific allergies and texture-modified meals, such as ground foods, for recipients who experience chewing or swallowing difficulties. Additionally, a carbohydrate count for menu items is available for individuals managing diabetes.
In terms of delivery schedules, Meals on Wheels delivers meals Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The specific number of delivery days may vary depending on the community's needs.
Home-Delivered Meals and Eligibility
Home-Delivered Meals and Eligibility
The Meals on Wheels program provides home-delivered meals specifically for individuals who are homebound and experience difficulty getting around. To be eligible for these home-delivered meals, recipients must be at least 60 years of age and unable to leave their homes without assistance. Priority for these services is given to individuals who are isolated.
While the community meals at senior centers allow for social connection, the home-delivery service is designed to enable seniors to live at home independently. For those receiving home-delivered meals, a voluntary donation of $4 is requested per meal, which is made on a monthly basis. A record of these meals is provided to the recipient at the end of each month for their records.
Service Area and Regional Availability
Service Area and Regional Availability
Beyond Summit County, the MAG service area includes extensive coverage in Utah and Wasatch counties. In Utah County, senior centers in American Fork, Eagle Mountain, Goshen, Lehi, Lindon, Payson, Pleasant Grove, Provo, Salem, Santaquin, and Spanish Fork all offer lunch services, most of which occur at noon on weekdays.
In Wasatch County, the Wasatch County Senior Center in Heber City serves lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon. The MAG service area also includes various community centers in Springville, where lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.
In Utah County, the Meals on Wheels program has a waiting list for those seeking to receive meals, a status that has been in effect since January 2022.
Program Support and Holiday Schedules
Program Support and Holiday Schedules
MAG encourages community involvement to sustain these programs through donations and volunteerism. Volunteers are needed for approximately one hour once a week to deliver meals to homebound seniors. The organization also accepts donations to support the ongoing operation of the Meals on Wheels program.
It is important to note that meals are not delivered on several designated holidays, including New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Pioneer Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve.
