Meals on Wheels California 2026 Member Needs Survey

Estimated completion time: 10 minutes

Purpose

Meals on Wheels California is gathering updated information from members to better understand current service demand, operating pressures, funding needs, and opportunities for targeted local investment.

California previously invested $37.2 million annually in senior nutrition modernization funding. Since that investment was established, the number of older Californians has continued to grow, food and operating costs have increased, and many programs continue to report waitlists and unmet demand. MOWCA’s current planning analysis estimates that maintaining the prior investment, adjusting for increased costs, and keeping pace with population-driven service demand would require approximately $67 million annually in ongoing state support.

This survey is intended to test that estimate against current member experience and provide stronger statewide and district-level information for future planning. It will also help identify one-time capital projects that may be appropriate for district-specific funding requests.

Please provide your best available information. Estimates are acceptable when exact figures are not readily available.

1. Organization Information

Organization name:

Primary contact:

First Last

County or counties served:

State Assembly District(s), if known:

State Senate District(s), if known:

2. Current Service Level

Approximately how many older adults does your organization currently serve annually?

Approximately how many meals does your organization provide annually?

Compared with approximately three years ago, is the number of people seeking your services:

Increasing significantly

Increasing somewhat

About the same

Decreasing

Unsure

If increasing, approximately how much has demand grown?

3. Waitlists and Unmet Need

Does your program currently have a waitlist or otherwise limit enrollment because of available funding or capacity?

Yes — formal waitlist

Yes — we limit or delay enrollment but do not maintain a formal waitlist

Unsure

If yes, approximately how many older adults are currently waiting or unable to receive full services?

Approximately how many additional meals per year would be needed to meet your currently identified unmet demand?

4. Changes in Service

During the past three years, has your organization had to take any of the following actions because of funding, staffing, or capacity limitations?

Select all that apply.

Other

5. Cost of Providing Services

Compared with approximately three years ago, your overall cost of providing meals and related services has:

Increased significantly

Increased somewhat

Remained about the same

Decreased

Unsure

What are the largest areas of increased cost?

Select all that apply.

Other:

If readily available, what is your current approximate cost per meal?

6. Impact of the $37.2 Million State Investment

Did your organization receive funding associated with California's senior nutrition modernization investment?

Yes

Unsure

If yes, what did that funding allow your organization to do?

Select all that apply.

Other:

If that funding is not replaced with ongoing support, what is the most likely impact on your program?

7. Future Funding Need

Looking ahead to FY 2027–28, approximately how much additional annual operating funding would your organization need to:

Maintain your current level of service:

Serve people currently waiting or otherwise unable to receive adequate service:

Meet expected growth in demand:

If you are unable to estimate an amount, what would additional ongoing funding allow you to do?

8. One-Time District and Capital Funding Opportunities

As we prepare to support local Meals on Wheels programs across the state, district-level funding requests are a strategy MOWCA hopes to expand.

If your organization could receive up to $500,000 in one-time funding, do you have a capital or infrastructure project that is sufficiently developed, costed, or ready to move forward?

Yes

Possibly — additional planning or costing is needed

Unsure

If yes or possibly, please briefly describe the project. Examples may include a kitchen acquisition or renovation, vehicles, meal-production equipment, refrigeration, solar or energy improvements, facility improvements, technology, or other infrastructure.

Project description:

Estimated total project cost:

Amount you would request, up to $500,000:

How would this investment increase or preserve services for older adults?

Approximately how many additional older adults and/or meals could be served or preserved because of the project?

Is the project:

Ready to proceed

Cost estimates are complete

Planning/design is underway

Early concept

Other

9. Other District-Level Requests

Beyond capital projects, is there a specific local or district-level issue where assistance from MOWCA could help your organization?

Select all that apply.

Other

Please briefly describe your highest-priority local request:

10. Ongoing State Funding

MOWCA's preliminary analysis suggests that approximately $67 million annually in ongoing state support may be needed to replace the previous $37.2 million annual investment while accounting for increased costs and population-driven demand.

Based on your organization's experience, does this proposal appear to reasonably reflect the level of investment California's senior nutrition system will need?

Yes

It may be too low

It may be too high

I need more information

Unsure

What annual statewide funding level would you recommend, if you have an estimate?

Why?

11. MOWCA Policy and Advocacy Priorities

Which issues should MOWCA prioritize during the coming year?

Select up to four.

Other:

12. Anything Else We Should Know?

What is the single most important thing policymakers should understand about the current needs of your Meals on Wheels program and the older adults you serve?