About Us - History
During World War II in England, meal pies were taken to families whose homes had been bombed. The British Women Civil Defense or “Women in Green” operated mobile canteens, later called “Meals on Wheels.”
In 1954, Margaret Toy, a Philadelphia social worker, adapted the idea, and the Lighthouse Community Center Volunteers, known as “Platter Angels” began taking food to the poor and elderly in this country.
Over the years the idea spread across the United States. Sparked by a needs survey conducted by the Salisbury United Methodist Church District, in 1974 a local planning committee was organized, by-laws written and a board of directors elected and Concord Meals on Wheels was established. The first meals were served in February of 1975. Over the course of the first year 16 clients were served by 34 volunteers.
In 1978 NorthEast Medical Center began preparing the meals.
In 1989 the Harrisburg route was added and in 1992 the Midland Flowes Store area. In 2008 volunteers delivered 75,000 meals. Today, we are delivering on 25 routes to over 300 clients per day.