<P> The first home - delivered meal program in the United States began in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , in January 1954 . At the request of the Philadelphia Health & Welfare Council , and funded by a grant from the Henrietta Tower Wurtz Foundation , Margaret Moffat Toy , a social worker in Philadelphia 's Lighthouse Community Center , pioneered a program to provide nourishment that met the dietary needs of homebound seniors and other `` shut - ins '' in the area who otherwise would have to go hungry . As is the case today , many participants were people who did not require hospitalization , but who simply needed a helping hand in order to maintain their independence . Most of the volunteers were high school students , who were dubbed `` Platter Angels . '' The `` Platter Angels '' would prepare , package , and deliver food to the elderly and disabled through their community . The daily delivery consisted of one nutritionally balanced hot meal to eat at lunch time , and a dinner consisting of a cold sandwich and milk along with varying side dishes . </P>
<P> The first home - delivered meal program in the United States began in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , in January 1954 . At the request of the Philadelphia Health & Welfare Council , and funded by a grant from the Henrietta Tower Wurtz Foundation , Margaret Moffat Toy , a social worker in Philadelphia 's Lighthouse Community Center , pioneered a program to provide nourishment that met the dietary needs of homebound seniors and other `` shut - ins '' in the area who otherwise would have to go hungry . As is the case today , many participants were people who did not require hospitalization , but who simply needed a helping hand in order to maintain their independence . Most of the volunteers were high school students , who were dubbed `` Platter Angels . '' The `` Platter Angels '' would prepare , package , and deliver food to the elderly and disabled through their community . The daily delivery consisted of one nutritionally balanced hot meal to eat at lunch time , and a dinner consisting of a cold sandwich and milk along with varying side dishes . </P>
who started meals on wheels in the usa
who started meals on wheels in the usa
Margaret Moffat Toy
Margaret Moffat Toy