The Ethos Nutrition program started in 1973 and is one of more than 5,000 local Senior Nutrition Programs in the United States. Through its home delivered meals (Meals on Wheels) and congregate meals (Community Cafés) programs, Ethos provides well over 2.1 million meals to seniors throughout every neighborhood of Boston who need them each year. The organization also offers nutrition check-ups and counseling from a licensed dietitian, as well as a variety of activities and programs at many of its Community Cafés.
Today, there are 44 Community Cafes, offering hot, nutritious meals to older adults 60 and older, throughout every neighborhood of Boston.
CLICK HERE TO SEE COMMUNITY CAFE LOCATIONS CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MEALS ON WHEELSBY THE NUMBERS
Even the most independent among us, if fortunate to live long enough, may experience a decline in mobility or health that can strip away our independence and diminish the quality of our lives. Great advances in medicine have extended our average life expectancy to a record high of 78.7 years. Living longer means more years spent in the struggles that accompany old age. Add to that the increase in geographic mobility of our families and the result is millions of seniors left behind, hungry, and alone.
TOO MANY SENIORS IN MASSSACHUSETTS ARE LEFT BEHIND, ALONE, AND HUNGRY, STRUGGLING TO STAY INDEPENDENT AND HEALTHY
The rate of hunger among seniors aged 60 and older has increased by 45% since 2001, a lingering effect of the 2008-2009 recession. At the current rate, the number of food-insecure seniors may grow to more than 8 million by 2050. Hunger pains can be increasingly painful as we age: 
While we all celebrate the increase in lifespan, maintaining health while aging comes with a price. Without support from programs like Meals on Wheels, millions of seniors are forced to prematurely trade their homes for nursing facilities. Meals on Wheels saves us all billions of dollars in unnecessary Medicaid and Medicare expenses every year – tax dollars that can be spent in much better ways.
MEALS ON WHEELS IN BOSTON DELIVERS THE SUPPORT THAT KEEPS SENIORS IN THEIR OWN HOMES, WHERE THEY WANT TO BE.
For millions of Americans, Meals on Wheels and Congregate Meal programs are literally the difference between remaining in their own homes and needing to relocate to a nursing facility. The nutritious meal, friendly visit and safety check help them cope with three of the biggest threats of aging: hunger, isolation, and loss of independence. Research proves that when seniors have the right support, they gain greater quality of life, need fewer hospital stays, and live longer. 
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Ethos is experiencing increased demand for Meals on Wheels and Community Cafe programs. More and more older adults are heeding public health warnings and remaining in their homes as much as possible. The hot, nutritious meals that Ethos provides has become a critical lifeline for so many in our community. While we expect legislation to increase funding for this program, we have an immediate need for unrestricted funds to bridge the gap.
Please help Ethos and the seniors we serve, by making a donation today.
Please use the form to make a donation to Ethos. If you encounter any technical issues, click back on your browsers, navigating to this page, and click on the Alternate Donation Page link. If you have any other technical issues, please do not hesitate to contact us at 617-522-6700. Thank you again for your support.