BERKELEY – Township officials will be learning where residents live if they are provided free meal delivery so that they can be serviced even during emergencies.
Councilman Michael Signorile said that during the January snowstorm, people who rely on Meals on Wheels were not able to get their food – sometimes for several days while they were stuck in their homes.
The township wants to make a list of everyone who receives Meals on Wheels to make sure that they don’t go hungry during weather emergencies, he said.
Mayor John Bacchione said that the January storm cost the town $597,665.17.
Following the incredible snowstorm, Meals on Wheels stood out for the enormous relief they provided senior residents. Whether it be due to power outages, unsafe road conditions, or they simply couldn’t dig their cars out of the snow piles, the service – made up entirely by local volunteers – helped feed hundreds of local senior residents.
According to the Meals on Wheels Ocean County website, in 2025 the service provided nearly 286,000 meals to 2,200 Ocean County seniors. Of those residents, 65% of them lived alone and 89% would not have had regular hot meals without Meals on Wheels. Thousands of seniors avoid hospitals or assisted living facilities for their own reasons; it doesn’t mean they don’t deserve the care and comfort of a good meal in their own homes.
According to their website, Meals on Wheels America, nearly 14 million older Americans struggle with hunger each year. The volunteer service has continued to grow as the population ages. Due to the medical developments in the last few decades, people are living longer lives– and outliving their savings. Meals on Wheels is dedicated to providing healthy foods to seniors who may be isolated or far from family, leaving them on their own as they age. The service delivers easy-made meals directly to their front doors, reducing the risks they may face on the road or in busy public spaces.
For local information, visit csimow.org or call 609-978-6869.
Chris Lundy contributed to this story.
