Meals on Wheels in Allen County, Indiana

Last Updated: August 2026

Allen County residents who have difficulty shopping for groceries or preparing meals may qualify for home-delivered meals. Aging & In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana operates the area’s Meals on Wheels program for adults age 60 and older, while Homebound Meals provides another option for people who need meals because of age, illness or disability.

Quick Answer

For Allen County’s Meals on Wheels/Home Delivered Meals program, contact:

Aging & In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana
8101 W. Jefferson Boulevard
Fort Wayne, IN 46804
Phone: 260-745-1200

For an eligibility assessment:

Aging & Disability Resource Center: 260-469-3036

View Allen County Meals on Wheels Information

Aging & In-Home Services Meals on Wheels

Aging & In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana (AIHS) provides home-delivered meals through its Nutrition Program.

The program is designed to help older adults who have difficulty obtaining or preparing adequate meals remain safely and independently at home.

Home-delivered meals consist of five or seven frozen meals with milk, delivered on scheduled routes.

Diabetic-specific meals are also available upon request.

View the AIHS Nutrition Program

Who Qualifies?

The Older Americans Act Meals on Wheels program is generally available to people who are:

Age 60 or older
Having difficulty preparing meals independently
Experiencing limitations with everyday activities
In need of home-delivered nutrition assistance

Eligibility isn’t based on age alone.

Aging & In-Home Services completes a Nutrition Assessment to determine the person’s needs and whether home-delivered meals are appropriate.

To request an assessment, call:

260-469-3036

How Much Does Meals on Wheels Cost?

There is no required charge to participate in the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program.

Participants are encouraged to make a voluntary contribution of $3 per meal to help support the program.

A donation is encouraged but isn’t the same as a required meal fee.

View Current Meals on Wheels Information

What Meals Are Delivered?

Meals on Wheels participants receive either:

5 frozen meals, or
7 frozen meals

Meals are delivered together on scheduled routes rather than one hot meal being delivered every day.

Milk is included, and meals are designed to meet nutritional standards established for the Older Americans Act program.

Diabetic-specific meals are available upon request.

What If I Don’t Qualify?

Aging & In-Home Services also offers a private-pay Meals on Wheels Premier program for people who don’t qualify for the Older Americans Act program.

Private-pay participants can receive either five or seven frozen meals.

Current published pricing is:

$6 per meal + $2 delivery charge

For information about private-pay meal delivery, call:

260-745-1200

View Meals on Wheels Options

Homebound Meals

Allen County residents also have another local meal-delivery option through Homebound Meals, Inc.

Homebound Meals, Inc.
Fort Wayne, IN
Phone: 260-422-3296

Visit Homebound Meals

Homebound Meals serves people who have difficulty obtaining or preparing adequate meals because of:

Age
Illness
Disability
Medical conditions
Difficulty getting to a grocery store

Unlike the senior Meals on Wheels program, Homebound Meals can also serve younger homebound residents who meet its program requirements.

Hot Meals in Fort Wayne

One important difference between the two programs is how the meals are delivered.

Aging & In-Home Services primarily provides multiple frozen meals at one time.

Homebound Meals provides freshly prepared hot meals delivered by volunteers in the Fort Wayne area, generally around lunchtime Monday through Friday.

This can make Homebound Meals a useful option for someone who prefers or needs regular hot-meal delivery.

Learn About Homebound Meals

Special Diets

Homebound Meals specializes in meals for people who may have medical dietary needs.

Available diets may include options appropriate for people who need:

Diabetic meals
Low-sodium meals
Cardiac diets
Renal diets
Other medically appropriate meal plans

Call 260-422-3296 to discuss current meal options and whether the program can accommodate your dietary needs.

Meals Outside Fort Wayne

If you live in rural Allen County, don’t assume meal delivery isn’t available.

Aging & In-Home Services serves older adults throughout its northeast Indiana service area, including Allen County.

Homebound Meals has also expanded meal-delivery options beyond its traditional Fort Wayne hot-meal routes.

When calling, provide your ZIP code and address so staff can determine which delivery options are available where you live.

Congregate Meal Sites

If you’re able to leave home but still need affordable meals and social interaction, Aging & In-Home Services also offers congregate dining locations.

These are community locations where older adults can eat meals together rather than having meals delivered.

Reservations generally need to be made by noon at least one day in advance, Monday through Friday.

View Senior Nutrition Options

Restaurant Voucher Program

Aging & In-Home Services also has a limited restaurant voucher program for qualifying adults age 60 and older.

Participants can use vouchers at participating restaurants and select from an approved menu designed to meet nutritional requirements.

There are participating locations in Allen County.

Availability is limited, so ask about the program when you call.

Aging & In-Home Services: 260-745-1200

How to Apply

For the Aging & In-Home Services Meals on Wheels program:

Call the Aging & Disability Resource Center at 260-469-3036.

Staff will discuss your situation and arrange the required assessment.

Be prepared to provide basic information about:

Your age
Where you live
Your ability to prepare meals
Mobility limitations
Daily living needs
Dietary needs
Other services you may already receive

For Homebound Meals, call:

260-422-3296

Temporary Meal Help After Surgery or Illness

Home-delivered meals aren’t only useful for people who need permanent assistance.

Someone recovering from:

Surgery
Hospitalization
Serious illness
Injury

may temporarily have difficulty shopping or cooking.

Call Homebound Meals or Aging & In-Home Services and explain the situation. They can tell you which meal-delivery options may be available.

Food Help Beyond Meals on Wheels

If you can prepare your own food but are having difficulty affording groceries, a food pantry may be a better resource.

Allen County has neighborhood food pantries, mobile food distributions and emergency grocery programs.

Find Food Pantries in Allen County

You may also qualify for SNAP food benefits.

Allen County SNAP Assistance

Other Help for Seniors

Aging & In-Home Services provides much more than meals.

The organization can help older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers find services involving:

Transportation
In-home assistance
Caregiver support
Long-term care options
Benefits
Nutrition
Independent living

If you’re calling about meals and need other help too, tell the specialist about the entire situation.

Visit Aging & In-Home Services

Before You Call

Have this information available if possible:

Name and address
Date of birth
Phone number
Emergency contact
Dietary restrictions
Mobility limitations
Medical conditions affecting meal preparation
Whether you can safely prepare food
Whether someone else regularly helps with meals

Don’t worry if you don’t have everything. Call first and staff can tell you what information is actually needed.

Local Tip

Allen County actually has more than one type of home-delivered meal program, so don’t assume you don’t qualify if one program isn’t right for you.

If you’re 60 or older, start with Aging & In-Home Services at 260-469-3036 for a Meals on Wheels assessment.

If you’re younger than 60, need hot meals or medically tailored meals, or don’t qualify for the senior program, also check with Homebound Meals at 260-422-3296.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who provides Meals on Wheels in Allen County?

Aging & In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana operates a home-delivered Meals on Wheels program for qualifying adults age 60 and older.

How old do you have to be?

The Older Americans Act Meals on Wheels program is for people age 60 and older who meet the program’s needs assessment. Other local meal programs may serve younger people.

Is Meals on Wheels free?

Aging & In-Home Services doesn’t require payment for its Older Americans Act Nutrition Program, although participants are encouraged to donate $3 per meal.

Are the meals delivered hot every day?

Not through the standard Aging & In-Home Services program. Participants receive five or seven frozen meals on scheduled delivery routes. Homebound Meals offers hot meal delivery in the Fort Wayne area.

Can I get diabetic meals?

Yes. Aging & In-Home Services offers diabetic-specific meals upon request, and Homebound Meals also offers medically tailored meal options.

Official Resources

Summary

Allen County residents have multiple options for home-delivered meals. Adults age 60 and older who have difficulty preparing meals can contact Aging & In-Home Services at 260-469-3036 for a Meals on Wheels assessment. The program provides five or seven frozen meals and has no required fee, although donations are encouraged. Homebound Meals at 260-422-3296 is another local option, including for some younger people who are homebound because of illness or disability.