SCAN Health Plan Helps Feed Our Neighbors
A $10,000 investment in Meals on Wheels is changing lives, one doorstep at a time.
We are deeply grateful to SCAN Health Plan's Community Giving Program for awarding Aster Aging a $10,000 grant to expand our Meals on Wheels program — making it possible to deliver 2,000 additional home-cooked meals to homebound seniors across Maricopa County.
For the 40 older adults who will receive these meals between April 2025 and March 2026, this funding is more than food. It is a daily knock on the door, a warm hello, a wellness check, and the reassurance that someone in the community is watching out for them.
Why this funding matters
Mesa, Arizona is home to more than 118,000 residents age 60 and older — and their numbers are growing. According to U.S. Census data, 16% of Mesa seniors live at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Nearly 40% live alone. Meals on Wheels America estimates that one in seven Arizona seniors faces food insecurity, putting more than 17,000 older adults in our community at risk of hunger right now.
Pandemic-era funding that once helped meet this surge in need has ended. The need has not. SCAN's investment helps Aster bridge that gap — ensuring that no senior goes without a meal simply because the resources weren't there.
"There is no way I could shop, prepare, and cook what has been delivered. What a blessing."
— Aster Meals on Wheels participant
The impact our participants report
Each year, Aster surveys Meals on Wheels participants through the nationally recognized Listen for Good (L4G) framework. Our most recent survey tells a compelling story:
About SCAN Health Plan
SCAN Health Plan is one of the nation's largest not-for-profit Medicare Advantage plans, dedicated to keeping seniors healthy and independent. Through its Community Giving Program, SCAN invests in organizations like Aster Aging that deliver direct, meaningful services to older adults across the country.
We are proud to be among SCAN's grantees and grateful for their trust in our work. Their investment reflects a shared belief that every older adult deserves to age with dignity, connection, and the simple comfort of a warm meal.
"98 this year, live alone, and Meals on Wheels is a real aid."
— Aster Meals on Wheels participant
