April 24, 2025 | By Emilie Jacques
Key findings from 2025 Meals on Wheels participant survey
For more than 30 years, Meals on Wheels has been a lifeline for seniors in Houghton and Keweenaw counties. Now operating under Copper Shores Community Health Foundation, the program has expanded its reach and impact, serving as a vital connection to food, wellness and community for hundreds of older adults.
Copper Shores Meals on Wheels delivery drivers provide nutritious meals to more than 300 seniors, covering an impressive 190 miles each day. In 2024 alone, the program served 94,406 meals through home-deliveries and four Meet & Eat sites located throughout Houghton and Keweenaw counties. Since joining Copper Shores, the number of seniors receiving home-delivered meals has nearly doubled, punctuating a growing need in the area for senior services.
Meeting a Growing Need
The need for senior support services is increasing not only locally but across the nation. By 2030, one in four Americans will be over the age of 60. According to the 2021 Community Needs Assessment conducted by the Western U.P. Health Department, more than 1 in 8 Houghton County seniors aged 65 and older live alone, often in rural areas, where isolation can have a serious impact on physical and mental health. As the senior population continues to grow, so does the need for community support.
To better understand this impact, Meals on Wheels surveyed participants in early 2025. The results spoke volumes:
- 42% said their delivery driver is the only person they see most days.
- 52% look forward to having someone to talk to.
- 54% value the daily wellness check from their driver.
- 59% said the meals help them feel connected to the outside world.
“I look forward to seeing my meal delivery driver each day,” said Mark L. “I often have a cup of coffee waiting for them as I enjoy the five to 10 minutes they spend talking with me. I don’t feel so forgotten.”
At the community-based Meet & Eat sites, many seniors said that attending helps reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness; both major influences on long-term health outcomes.
“Attending the Meet & Eat meal site has helped me out of my depression,” said John P. “I’ve made new friends and enjoy getting out of my house each day. It’s been such a help to have something to look forward to each day.”
For many, these meals are more than food, they deliver companionship, peace of mind and a link to the rest of the world.
How to help
Despite its success and critical role in senior well-being, the Meals on Wheels program faces high demand. Approximately 40 seniors remain on the waiting list each month, often waiting three-to-five months before services can begin.
Learn more about the growing need for elder nutritional services in Houghton County by visiting coppershores.org/support-seniors. While there, consider making a donation to support the program.
