By Kyarra Harris • Monterey Herald
SEASIDE – Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula is planning to open a second kitchen in Seaside to meet increasing demand for food and support services the county.
During the county briefing Wednesday, Christine Winge, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula, said the organization is in the middle of a capital campaign and hopes to break ground on the new facility by the fall.
The organization will expand to a second location at 1010 Auto Center Parkway, much larger than their current kitchen in Pacific Grove, and will be able to offer up to 15,000 meals per day. The kitchen is expected to open within two years.
Winge says the organization experienced an uptick in demand back in 2020 during the pandemic, and it has only continued increasing.
“We are looking to the future,” Winge said. “That need wasn’t only as a result of COVID numbers going up and people realizing what we do, but it was really about reaching level of the population that we haven’t reached before.”
Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula currently operates nine group dining sites throughout the county and provides meal delivery services for homebound residents. Winge said the delivery program also serves as a welfare check and source of social connection for seniors living alone.
“We want people to know that through our meal delivery, we’re there for them,” Winge said.
The organization also offers weekly produce and bread distribution, social programs and exercise classes. Meals on Wheels also partners with SPCA Monterey County to deliver pet food to residents in need.
Winge said the organization’s Seaside dining site at Oldemeyer Center has expanded its programming and services in recent years, showcasing how the growing community and need for services has continued.
The planned Seaside kitchen is expected to significantly increase meal production capacity, and will also make it easier for drivers to get on and off the highway to make stops.
Residents seeking information about Meals on Wheels services or eligibility can visit the organization’s website at https://mowmp.org/ or call 831-375-4454.
