Catholic Charities is expanding its ability to serve older adults across Wright County with a new hot/cold delivery truck, made possible through funding from the Central Minnesota Council on Aging (CMCOA) and generous community support. The investment will help strengthen and grow Meals on Wheels and Senior Dining, ensuring nutritious meals reach more seniors safely and efficiently.
Getting Meals Where They Are Needed
As demand for nutritious meal services continues to rise, reliable transportation plays a critical role in connecting older adults with the food they depend on every day. The new truck carries meals from our production kitchens to community meal sites and home-delivered meal routes throughout the region.
Designed with separate heated and refrigerated compartments, the vehicle lets staff transport hot, fresh meals and frozen meals at the same time while maintaining strict food safety standards. Its specialized design ensures meals arrive at the proper temperature, preserving both quality and safety.
More Meals, Safer Temperatures
The truck can carry hundreds of meals daily, significantly increasing delivery capacity. Before it arrived, meals were transported in insulated hot and cold bags, which required extra handling and limited how many meals each route could carry.
Today, hot meals leave the kitchen at approximately 180 degrees and arrive at the recommended serving temperature of 165 degrees. Frozen and refrigerated meals are delivered below 40 degrees, so recipients can safely store them when they arrive.
The impact extends beyond meal quality. Staff and volunteers now spend less time loading, unloading, and managing insulated bags, so they can focus on serving clients and completing deliveries safely and on time. Meals are delivery-ready when the truck arrives at outreach locations.
“Food access for rural seniors continues to be a growing concern. The truck will provide opportunities for Catholic Charities to continue service in our rural communities as operational funding and resources become more limited while community need continues to increase.”
Stacy Lund, Program Director
Meet Grace
More than a vehicle, the hot/cold truck is an investment in the future of Meals on Wheels and Senior Dining. It provides the infrastructure needed to meet growing demand and support older adults who rely on these programs to remain healthy, independent, and connected to their communities.
In a fitting tribute, staff named the truck Grace in honor of Sister Grace, a beloved former employee whose legacy of service continues to inspire our mission. Like its namesake, Grace will deliver not only nutritious meals, but also the caring connections that make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults across Central Minnesota.
About Meals on Wheels and Senior Dining
Our Meals on Wheels and Senior Dining programs provide nutritious meals and meaningful social connection for older adults throughout Central Minnesota. Through home-delivered and congregate meals, the programs help people maintain their independence, improve food security, and stay connected to their communities.
