65 Years in the Making:
From Humble Start to 7 Million Meals
In 1959, a small group of community leaders and volunteers came together around a simple but powerful idea: no older adult in Savannah should go hungry or feel forgotten. That year, Senior Citizens, Inc. began delivering home-cooked meals to just 13 people.
There was no national network, no playbook, no precedent. What existed was compassion, determination, and the belief that neighbors care for neighbors.
What those first volunteers may not have realized is that they were pioneers. Their work began long before Meals on Wheels America was established as a national organization. While others were still imagining what such a program might look like, Savannah was already showing how it could be done. SCI didn’t just follow a model — we helped write the story of Meals on Wheels in this country.
Growing with the Community
Over six decades later, the program that started with 13 meals has grown into a vast network delivering 1,600 meals every single day across coastal Georgia. Volunteers and staff set out rain or shine, ensuring that food and friendship reach the doorsteps of homebound older adults.
But this growth has never changed our foundation. From the very beginning, the mission has remained the same: helping people age successfully.
More Than a Meal
To say we’ve served 7 million meals is only part of the story. Every one of those meals carried something greater:
7 million wellness checks — quick conversations that sometimes revealed medical needs, safety concerns, or emergencies.
7 million friendly visits — moments of laughter, companionship, and connection that reminded seniors they are not alone.
7 million lifelines — small but powerful acts that brought reassurance to families and dignity to those we serve.
Milestones and Memories
The road to 7 million meals is paved with countless milestones:
Expanding beyond Savannah to serve neighboring counties.
Building a professional kitchen that prepares thousands of balanced, delicious meals every week.
Partnering with local leaders, donors, and volunteers to keep pace with rising demand.
Launching special programs with local chefs and restauranteurs, which brings local flavors and creativity into our menus, proving that Meals on Wheels can be both nutritious and delicious.
Why This Milestone Matters
Reaching 7 million meals is not simply a number — it’s a reflection of the lives touched and the community built around this program.
Consider:
A widow who looks forward to seeing her driver each day, because it may be the only face she sees.
A veteran whose health has improved because he no longer skips meals.
Families who rest easier knowing someone is checking in daily on their loved one.
Every meal is a story. Every delivery is a reminder that compassion is alive and well in coastal Georgia.
Looking Ahead
As proud as we are of this milestone, we know the work isn’t finished. Across the nation, Meals on Wheels programs face waiting lists as demand outpaces funding. Here in coastal Georgia, we are committed to ending the wait and reaching every older adult who needs us.
With your support, we will continue to grow, innovate, and deliver not just meals, but hope and connection. Together, we can ensure that the next 7 million meals come even faster — and touch even more lives.
This is where it all begins. From a humble start in 1959 to 7 million meals in 2025 — Senior Citizens, Inc. continues to prove that a meal is never just a meal.
It’s nourishment, dignity, and a lifeline.
