Beyond the Wait: March 11 - May 29
Over 600 Durham seniors are stuck on an 18 to 24-month waitlist, forced to choose between food, medicine, and rent. While federal funding has stalled, we are taking active steps to move our neighbors Beyond the Wait.
A major grant has jumpstarted deliveries for the first 100 seniors, but we need our community to help us finish the race. Your support sustains this vital lifeline, ensuring these neighbors stay nourished, safe, and never have to face an empty fridge or a waitlist again.
$176,550 raised | 58% to goal
We Can Wednesday
Our third annual online day of giving was a success! Together, we raised over $7,500 in the first 24 hours to kick off Beyond the Wait—an incredible start to sustaining meals and care for the seniors we’re bringing off the waitlist.
Feed The Need Gala
Party with a purpose to help us reach our fundraising finish line and secure the journey for 100 seniors. May 29th at the Washington Duke Inn. Tickets sales close May 20th.
Thank You For Your Support
Diamond Impact Partner
Meals on Wheels Durham is proud to recognize Ellis Family Law as our Beyond the Wait Campaign Impact Partner and a Diamond Sponsor of the Feed the Need Gala. Together, we are working to end senior hunger right here in Durham.
Digital Donor Wall
Thank you to our community partners, local businesses, and generous donors who answered our call. Because of you, seniors removed from the waitlist will continue receiving nutritious meals and the meaningful connections that come with every delivery.
Beyond the Numbers: The Neighbors Who Need Our Friendly Knock
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Aging Surge
Durham’s 65+ population will grow 50% by 2042 and seniors aged 85+ will surge 149%, many live alone.
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Poverty Gap
Nearly 8% of Durham seniors live below the poverty line. For them, a $11 meal isn't a convenience—it's a lifeline.
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Growing Waitlist
After COVID SNAP ended and with flat federal funding, our waitlist jumped from 210 to 662 neighbors in 2 years—a 215% surge.
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Rise In Cost
As housing and food costs rose 30%, the cost of delivering a single meal rose from $8.46 to $11.
The Bottom Line: We are racing to close the gap on senior hunger, but for our neighbors, this isn't just a sprint—it's a vital journey toward independence. Every meal we deliver is a hurdle cleared, preventing costly hospital stays and malnutrition so that Durham’s seniors can remain the champions of their own lives, staying safe and independent in the homes they love.