History And Mission:

In 1974, Barbara Russell, chair of the Chestnut Hill Community Association health committee in 1975, visited Northwest Meals on Wheels in Germantown.  She began a campaign for a Chestnut Hill route for people who wanted to remain in their homes as they got older or recuperated from illness or surgery.  She was assisted by Mary Anna Ross, CHCA board member and paid director of NWMOW.  Ross saw the need for the service and knew how grateful people were for it.

The board of CHCA allocated $1,000 in its '74-'75 budget to get the program started in Chestnut Hill.  With the help of John Golden, Vice President of General Services at Chestnut Hill Hospital, and Jack Francis, Head of Food Services, the program was given a home at Chestnut Hill Hospital.  Two meals were delivered each day, Monday through Friday, for $14.

In our efforts to serve the community, CHMOW has recently broadened our charter to include the entire Northwest portion of Philadelphia.  With this ambitious plan comes the need for additional financing, volunteer support and infrastructure.

CHMOW has been delivering fresh, hot meals five days a week with the help of 50 volunteers.  Along with food, our volunteers also provide a connection to the clients: someone to look in on them, to visit with them, and to help them maintain their independence.  We currently charge $35 a week per client to have our volunteers deliver every weekday, including holidays, and subsidies are available for those who qualify.