Project Details:
The Project involved the construction of new food distribution facility for Meals on Wheels, Inc. (MOWI) of Tarrant County. Since 1973, MOWI of Tarrant County has delivered 16 million meals to homebound elderly and disabled people who are unable to prepare a nutritious and well-balanced meal for themselves and do not have anyone to help them on a regular basis. In addition to its meal delivery program, the organization administers several programs focuses specifically on improving the health and welfare of its client base. These include such programs as its Client Services Program that contributes to the health and wellness of its clients, distributing supplies such as fans, air conditioners, walkers, wheelchairs, blankets, adult incontinence supplies, personal hygiene supplies, handheld grabbers, etc. In addition, MOWI provides a HomeMeds program that reviews the prescriptions of its client base for healthy interaction and provides for home delivery where possible, such as with diabetes supplies. MOWI also supports the HAIL program which is a program specifically aimed at helping the elderly or disabled maintain active healthy life-styles and to remain independent living in their own homes. MOWI also provides a service called PAM, Patient Activation Measure, which is designed to get people enrolled into medical insurance programs. All of MOWI’s clients receive a initial case assessment from their case-worker, who then re-assesses the case an additional three times per annum. MOWI also has an ongoing relationship with the North Texas University Hospital and Texas A&M Science Center which is performing a study to assess the impact of their program provision on their client base as viewed through the number of hospital visits and extended stays from this base versus the number of visits or extended stays from the population of similar demographics served by the institutions without access to such programs. At this time the studies indicate a significant reduction in the overall number of hospital visits and hospitalizations in the population receiving the meals and additional benefit programs provided by MOWI. It should be noted that roughly ninety percent (90%) of MOWI clients are low income individuals, and demand continues to increase.
In order to meet demand for its services, MOWI has embarked on a capital campaign to build a new facility in Haltom City, Texas. MOWI purchased 9.2 acres, approximately 5 miles from its current facility, to construct a new 61,000 SF, energy efficient facility with upgraded kitchen equipment. This facility is double the size of MOWI’s existing building and will allow the organization to not only meet the current demand for 1 million meals each year but also prepare for a projected 50% increase in demand by 2020.
