Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island

What Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island does

Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island (MOWRI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1969 and headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island. It operates as the only statewide nonprofit home-delivered meal program in Rhode Island, serving approximately 1,500 homebound seniors daily across every municipality, including Block Island, and reaching more than 5,500 Rhode Islanders annually through its full suite of nutritional and support programs. Beyond the core Home-Delivered Meal Program, MOWRI operates a Capital City Café congregate dining program with culturally specific sub-programs (Latinx, Southeast Asian, LGBTQ, West African), a Restaurant Dining voucher program with Newport Creamery, a No-Cost Market food pantry, a Pet Food Delivery program, a Senior Wish Initiative, and a Maternal Health Equity program launched in 2021 that has served over 80,000 maternal health meals. The organization also leads a Food Is Medicine initiative that integrates medically tailored meals with healthcare provider partnerships for chronic disease management.

Name

Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island

Legal name

Meals on Wheels of RI, Inc.

Website

https://rimeals.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1969 that delivers nutritious meals and wellness checks to approximately 1,500 homebound seniors daily across every Rhode Island municipality, including Block Island, through statewide volunteer-driven programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Senior Nutrition Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421), Community Food Services (624210)

SIC

Services-Home Health Care Services (8082)

akta.pro primary industry

Meal Preparation, Nutrition Support & Feeding Assistance (HLADAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Meal Preparation & Nutrition Support (Non-Medical) (HSABAAAC), Meals, Nutrition & Congregate Dining Day Programs (HSABANAM), Prepared Meal Subscriptions (Chef-Prepared, Recurring) (CRAHAJAD)

Keywords

• Home-delivered meal services
• Senior nutrition programs
• Medically tailored meals
• Congregate dining services
• Food is medicine

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Funding: Federal and state government funding administered by the R.I. Office of Healthy Aging. Includes Older Americans Act nutrition program funding and Medicaid HCBS-LTSS reimbursements for eligible participants.
2. Private Donations: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and endowment fund contributions. Includes monthly giving program (Tomorrow's Meal Club), major donor society (1969 Society), and estate planned gifts (Joe Brown Society).
3. Client Donations: Suggested voluntary donation of $3.00 per meal for grant-funded clients. No client is denied service for inability to donate.
4. Private Pay Meals: Direct payment for meals by clients who do not qualify for grant funding or prefer private pay. Weekly cost of $50-65 for 5 meals, or $9.50-$13 per individual meal.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island is a nonprofit organization that prepares and delivers nutritious meals to homebound older adults and other at-risk Rhode Islanders each weekday across the state, including Block Island. Beyond meal delivery, the program conducts wellness checks, provides social interaction, and offers medically tailored and culturally responsive menus for clients with chronic conditions. The organization also runs congregate dining sites, a no-cost food pantry, restaurant voucher program, and maternal health nutrition services.

Product overview

Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island offers a comprehensive suite of nutritional and support programs centered on its core Home-Delivered Meal Program, which provides daily nutritious meals to homebound older adults across Rhode Island. The organization operates a multi-tiered service model including grant-funded meals, Private Pay options, and Medicaid HCBS-LTSS coverage. Supporting programs include Pet Food Delivery, Senior Wish Initiative, Capital City Café Program (with Cultural Cafés for Latinx, Southeast Asian, and LGBTQ communities), Restaurant Dining, Maternal Health Equity, and a No-Cost Market food pantry. The Food Is Medicine initiative provides medically tailored meals for clients with chronic conditions. Donor engagement programs include Tomorrow's Meal Club (monthly giving), 1969 Society and Joe Brown Society (legacy giving), Matching Gifts, Donor-Advised Funds, and an Endowment Fund. Annual events include March for Meals and Festival of Meals fundraising campaigns.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Home-Delivered Meal Program Primary program delivering nutritious, fully-prepared meals to homebound older adults statewide including Block Island each weekday, with wellness checks and social visits.
• Pet Food Delivery
• Senior Wish Initiative
• Capital City Café Program Socialized dining program for Rhode Island residents aged 60 and older at multiple Providence locations, providing meals meeting one-third of daily dietary requirements with health education.
• Restaurant Dining Program Low-cost restaurant dining program offering $5.00 meal vouchers redeemable at participating Newport Creamery locations for adults aged 60 and older.
• Cultural Cafés Monthly cultural luncheons connecting clients to their communities with meals and programming designed for specific cultural needs, including Latinx, Southeast Asian, LGBTQ, and West African communities.
• Maternal Health Equity Program Home delivery program serving perinatal and postpartum maternal health patients and their families as a preventative health intervention, with supplemental groceries.
• No-Cost Market Food Pantry Food pantry resource offering non-perishable food, frozen items, pet food, and household/personal care items at no cost, open Tuesdays and for emergencies.
• Food Is Medicine Comprehensive program integrating nutrition and healthcare through medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and nutrition counseling in partnership with healthcare providers.
• Private Pay Meal Delivery Private pay home-delivered meal service for individuals who do not qualify for grant-funded meals, offering five meals weekly for $50-65 with no extra service fees.
• Savory Fare Premium Menu Premium private pay meal program with a $13/meal menu option, offering higher-end meal selections for private pay clients.
• Medicaid HCBS-LTSS Meal Delivery Meal delivery as a covered benefit for eligible participants through PACE, Qualifying Neighborhood Integrity plans, OHA Community Service, and LTSS-HCBS programs with no out-of-pocket cost to qualifying clients.
• Mobile Market Home-delivered supplemental grocery bags for Home-Delivered Meal Program participants who cannot access traditional food pantries, delivered during weekday meal delivery hours.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving more than 5,500 Rhode Islanders annually in 2025
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UConncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021Five-year partnership (Meals+) as an enhanced Home-Delivered Meals Program in partnership with UConn aimed to improve nutrition and reduce loneliness for older adults. Goal to administer intervention to 1,650 clients at high nutritional risk by delivering healthy meals, therapeutic groceries, and incorporating community health worker services.
• Brown University Center for Gerontology and Healthcare ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted the 'More Than a Meal' pilot research study designed by Kali Thomas, Ph.D., measuring the impact of meal deliveries to homebound seniors.
• Webster BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for March for Meals 2026 campaign, supporting the annual fundraising and awareness initiative.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for March for Meals 2026 campaign. Christina Pitney, President, serves as Senior Vice President of Government Programs at BCBSRI and is also President of MOWRI's Board of Directors.
• Newman, Dignan & Shearer (NDS)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor for March for Meals 2026 campaign.
• HowescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor for March for Meals 2026 campaign.
• AAA NortheastcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor for March for Meals 2026. Gregory Smolan, VP-Insurance Operations at AAA Northeast, serves on MOWRI's Board of Directors.
• BayCoast BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor for March for Meals 2026 campaign.
• Jerry's SupermarketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating store for March for Meals 'Drive the Support' wheel purchasing campaign at locations in Pascoag, North Scituate, and North Smithfield.
• Brigido's MarketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating store for March for Meals 'Drive the Support' wheel purchasing campaign at locations in Pascoag, North Scituate, and North Smithfield.
• Roch'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating store for March for Meals 'Drive the Support' wheel purchasing campaign at locations in Narragansett and West Greenwich.
• United HealthcarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Partner sponsor for Festival of Meals 2026. Phanida Phivilay, Manager of Community Outreach at United Healthcare, serves as Secretary on MOWRI's Board of Directors.
• Newport CreamerycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParticipating restaurant for the Restaurant Dining Program offering $5.00 meal vouchers to adults 60+. Available at all locations except Barrington and Middletown, Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare program partner for Medicaid HCBS-LTSS meal delivery. MOWRI is a covered benefit under PACE plans for eligible participants.
• Qualifying Neighborhood Integrity PlanscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare plan partners for Medicaid HCBS-LTSS meal delivery as a covered benefit for eligible participants.
• OHA Community ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare program partner for Medicaid HCBS-LTSS meal delivery as a covered benefit for eligible participants.
• Rhode Island General AssemblycoreOthersPassed House Bill 8171 SUB A and Senate Bill 2892 proposing a Food Is Medicine task force to develop recommendations for a Food Is Medicine Pilot Program. Legislation now goes to Governor McKee for consideration.
• R.I. Executive Office of Health & Human ServicescoreOthersProposed recipient of Food Is Medicine task force establishment through House Bill 8171 and Senate Bill 2892 to develop recommendations for pilot program implementation.
• RI Community Food BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCapital campaign supporter and community partner in the Rhode Island food security ecosystem.
• Saccoccio & Associates ArchitectsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture firm engaged in 2023 to conduct feasibility study of Providence headquarters at 70 Bath Street.
• Delta Dental of RIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTable host sponsor for Festival of Meals 2026 annual fundraising luncheon.
• Citrin CoopermanminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTable host sponsor for Festival of Meals 2026 annual fundraising luncheon.
• Landmark Medical CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner sponsor for Festival of Meals 2026.
• Bristol County Savings BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMission Mentor sponsor for Festival of Meals 2026.
• Care New England (CNE)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWellness Warrior sponsor for Festival of Meals 2026. Sherri Sprague, MHA, BSN, RN, CENP, SVP Patient Care Services & Chief Nursing Officer at Kent Hospital (Care New England), serves on MOWRI's Board of Directors.
• Wilton BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWellness Warrior sponsor for Festival of Meals 2026.
• University OrthopedicsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWellness Warrior sponsor for Festival of Meals 2026.
• PACE Rhode IslandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWellness Warrior sponsor for Festival of Meals 2026.
• 765 Lounge & RestaurantminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue host for Latinx Café cultural programming luncheon held on the second Tuesday of each month at 765 Broad St., Central Falls, RI 02863.
• Center for Southeast AsiansminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue host for Southeast Asian Café cultural programming luncheons held on first and third Wednesday of each month at 270 Elmwood Ave., Providence, RI 02907.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Community Servings: Boston-based nonprofit providing medically tailored meals and nutrition services to individuals and families living with critical and chronic illnesses. Closest nonprofit peer with a near-identical Food Is Medicine model serving a similar Northeast population.
• God's Love We Deliver: NYC-based nonprofit that cooks and home-delivers medically tailored meals for people living with serious illness. Highly comparable direct peer with similar Food Is Medicine approach, medically tailored menus, and chronic illness focus.
• MANNA: Philadelphia-based nonprofit providing medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling to individuals battling serious illnesses. Direct peer operating the same home-delivered nutrition-plus-nutrition-counseling model in the Northeast.
• Project Open Hand: San Francisco and Oakland-based nonprofit providing meals and nutrition services to seniors and individuals living with serious illness. Direct peer with similar medically tailored meals, congregate dining, and Food Is Medicine approach.
• Mom's Meals: Commercial provider of medically tailored, home-delivered meals to health plans, Medicaid, and Medicare Advantage members nationwide. Direct peer in the same product category but operating as a for-profit competitor pursuing the same healthcare payer contracts.
• GA Foods: Commercial provider of nutritionally balanced, home-delivered meals for healthcare, senior nutrition, and government programs. For-profit competitor operating in the same medically tailored meal delivery space that MOWRI is expanding into.

Broad incumbents

• Meals on Wheels America: National membership organization representing the Meals on Wheels network of 5,000+ community programs. MOWRI is a member and brand affiliate; the national organization provides advocacy, research, and resources but does not deliver meals directly.

Regional players

• Rhode Island Community Food Bank: Statewide food bank distributing donated food to Rhode Island pantries and meal programs. Regional peer and ecosystem partner within the same Rhode Island hunger relief landscape, addressing food insecurity through different (wholesale) channels.

Others

• Feeding America: National network of 200+ food banks feeding communities across the U.S. Ecosystem participant and adjacent nonprofit in the broader hunger relief space; not a direct competitor since it focuses on wholesale food distribution rather than meal preparation and home delivery.
• City Harvest: NYC-based food rescue organization collecting surplus food for distribution to communities in need. Adjacent peer addressing food insecurity but through food rescue rather than meal preparation and home delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mealsri
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@rimealsonwheels
• Facebookfacebook.com/RIMeals
• Instagraminstagram.com/mealsonwheelsri

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island