New Center To ‘Significantly Increase’ Meals On Wheels Service Capacity In Tulsa

Work is underway on the new headquarters for Tulsa's Meals on Wheels. Crews have already cleared the lot and hope by being in a busy location they'll see more volunteers.

David Down is one of the volunteers and is excited to see the transformation of an empty lot into the new headquarters. 

"Obviously, until you get involved, you don't know all the details. I look forward to continued contributions," said Down.

Down has been volunteering with the nonprofit for three months. He helps provide food for people who are homebound and their pets. 

"For older people, pets can be a really important asset. Personally, I have a cat that's my companion," said Down. 

The plan is to move out of the current 6,000 square foot building near 31st and Garnett into a new building that will be four times larger, which they hope will double their services. 

"It's going to radically transform the organization. It's going to help us to routinely delivering about 400,000 meals per year to delivering well over a million meals per year throughout our services area," said Calvin Moore, president of Meals on Wheels for Tulsa.

Moore said the nonprofit is about more than just providing food. 

"Healthy and strong in their own environment, their own homes. As opposed to being prematurely relocated to an assisted living facility or a long term care facility or god forbid something catastrophic happening and them winding up in the hospital," said Moore. 

Moore said the new facility will not impact the current 16 distribution sites. He said they are always looking for more volunteers.