Frequently Asked Questions

General

  • Who do you serve?
    • Many services are designed to help elderly, disabled and homebound, with limited income.
  • What is your mission?
    • The mission of Senior Life Midland (SLM) is to address challenges related to aging and develop efficient, flexible and compassionate ways to meet the needs of our community. In coordination and collaboration with other program providers, unduplicated services are provided to address such needs as hunger and malnutrition, loneliness and social isolation, home safety and security, aging information and education. Our vision is to improve the quality of life for seniors in Midland.
  • What tools do you have for families and caregivers?
    • We offer information and support to family members and caregivers of our clients.
  • How long have you existed in Midland?
    • The Meals on Wheels program became an outreach project of First Christian Church in 1974. Community & Senior Services of Midland, Inc. was incorporated as a private, non-profit agency in 1982.

Funding

  • How are you funded?
    • We are primarily funded by local foundations, churches, corporations and individuals as well as the City of Midland, Midland County, Texas Department on Aging, the Texas Department of Health & Human Services, the United Way of Midland, and the Corporation for National & Community Service. Click here for more info about our fundraisers and how to get involved.

Meals on Wheels

  • Do we only serve people over 60 years old?
    • No, but disabled residents under age 60 must enrolled through the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. We cannot enroll them in the program directly. The DADS program, if needed, will certify the client for home delivered meals and contact us on a person’s behalf.
  • Is someone still eligible for meals on wheels if they can leave their house and/or drive?
    • Perhaps, “homebound” is a requirement, but it means that one can only leave the house with difficulty, and the person usually does not, except for medical appointments, family visits, etc. If a person is healthy enough to shop and eat out, it’s possible they don’t need home delivered lunches.
  • Can you deliver meals to any resident of Midland County?
    • Unfortunately, no. We are allowed to serve residents who live within a six mile circle of our kitchen. That covers almost every inch of the current city limits and some county roads that are close to the interstate, but there are some rural residents who are beyond the delivery limits.
  • How much do the meals cost?
    • Each meal costs about $7.00 to make and deliver, but clients are not required to pay. We send monthly statements listing the number of lunches and associated costs. Donations are requested in any amount comfortable for the client. But all donations are totally voluntary. We don’t keep records of how much each client gives, and we don’t cut off anyone because they don’t donate.
  • Will lunches arrive at the same time every day?
    • Unfortunately no. We rely on volunteers to drive 38 routes each weekday, and they can’t all fit in our driveway at the same time. Some routes have 10 meals and some have more than 20. There are stops within walking distance from our kitchen while other stops begin 6 miles away. A few of our clients get the knock on the door around 10:30 most mornings. But most receive their meal between 10:45 and 11:30. Bad weather, car trouble, last-minute delays, and finding substitute drivers can delay the arrival time. The state allows us to deliver until 2pm, but it’s rare that anyone is served after 12:30.
  • Are you trying to reduce your client list because of state and federal budget cuts?
    • No. Some of our funding comes from these programs, but the generosity of our community maintains that we are not solely dependent on government funds. The growth of this organization, the ever increasing number of people we serve and the fact that we don’t have to turn people away is a testament the kindness of others.
  • Do you deliver on weekends?
    • No, but for those with greater needs, those without any ability to obtain hot meals on weekends, due to lack of family, friends or resources, we can supply frozen meals during the week to supplement.
  • Who develops the menu?
    • A nutritionist, paid by the state, creates each menu with the proper nutritional balance between protein and carbohydrates, meats and vegetables, vitamins and nutrients and calories. We receive menu requirements in advance and purchase the food to fill our demand.