ICCC Seniors Program
Home Delivery of Indian Meals – Update Feb. 2023
As you may be aware that for several years, we have been trying to bring home delivery of cooked Indian meals to seniors (60+) and people with disabilities, at a reasonable cost. The objective is that people who may find cooking for themselves an onerous task, or those who may want a variety once or more times a week, should have a service of familiar food available to them.
Indian Meals Program under the Umbrella of Meals-on-Wheels:
The Program:
In partnership with three Meals on Wheels (MOW) agencies in the Ottawa area, and Nutrition Blocs, ICCC has facilitated a program to deliver Indian vegetarian meals. They are prepared at a licensed facility, menu design and coordination are by Nutrition Blocs, and delivery around noon is done by volunteers of the MOW agencies.
The cost is $11 (net) per meal. Each meal comprises a curry dish, vegetable dish, rice, 2 rotis and either a dessert or fresh fruit. A small subsidy towards the purchase of an Indian meal may be available for the low-income people who may qualify for it under the subsidy rules established by the partner agency (MOW) covering your area.
People may order meals on a once or more times a week basis and may request more than one meal on any day. On a 24-hour notice, it is possible to put a temporary hold or cancellation of the delivery of the meals.
Although this service may be of particular interest to the South Asian diaspora, it is open to all eligible citizens of Ottawa.
Going Home Program:
Under this program, seniors who are being discharged from a hospital, are eligible for free meals for a limited period under the meals-on-wheels program. Requests for this service must be made prior to the discharge from the hospital. This service, as of now, is available in the Ottawa west area, and we are working hard to include it in the rest of the city.
Geographical Areas Covered:
This program started in Ottawa West in Aug. 2021, and now is being expanded to the rest of the city.
- Ottawa West area (Kanata, Nepean, Barr haven, Bells Corners, Stittsville and Dunrobin): started twice a week delivery on Tuesdays and Fridays on Aug. 10, 2021; a Monday delivery is being added on Feb. 11, 2023.
- Ottawa Centre area: started once a week delivery on Nov. 15, 2022, Tuesdays (west of Rideau River) and Fridays (east of Rideau River).
- Ottawa East (Orleans, Beacon Hill, Gloucester, Cumberland) planned twice a week delivery, scheduled to start in April 2023.
Registration:
To join the program please send your full name, phone number and your address which must include your postal code to our program coordinator Mr. Jagjit Khosla (khosla_jagjit@yahoo.com), (613-837-7727) or Chair, Seniors’ program, Mr. Anil Sukhija (anilsukhija@gmail.com,) (613-791-7593). Upon receipt of your information, we will inform you with which one of our three MOW partner agencies you should register.
Urgent Appeal for Volunteers:
Volunteers are the backbone of this program. Although our partner agencies have a large roster of volunteers who deliver western meals, with the incorporation of the Indian meals in the delivery process additional volunteers are needed.
The Indian meals program has been serving our community since 2021. We are inviting our people to be a part of this process by volunteering their services. Depending upon the geographical area you live in, you will register with one of our partner agencies. At present there is an urgent need for volunteers in the Barrhaven and Orleans areas.
Please contact us for details on joining as a volunteer.
Thanks for your cooperation and help.
Regards,
Anil Sukhija
613-791-7593