Meals on Wheels originated in Great Britain during World War II. The Women’s Volunteer Service for Civil Defence, who delivered canteens and meals to British servicemen, expanded their service to provided food for people who had lost their homes in the London Blitz. After the war the service was continued for those who could not prepare meals for themselves, and adopted internationally.

Burnaby Meals on Wheels started in February of 1968 when the United Way of the Lower Mainland called for a meeting of community organizations, church groups, and anyone who was interested, to discuss the need for a hot meal service for those residents of Burnaby who were unable to meet their own nutritional needs. A standing committee of the United Way was formed known as the Burnaby Meals on Wheels Committee. This committee began a hot lunchtime meal service commencing on May 6, 1968 for South-East Burnaby.

In April 26th, 1993, The Burnaby Meals on Wheels Committee evolved into a separate non-profit society. While continuing to deliver hot western meals, the Home Delivery Meal Program has expanded to include Chinese, vegetarian, diabetic and frozen meals, bag lunches, and frozen breakfasts.

In 2012, with funding from United Way of the Lower Mainland, Burnaby Meals on Wheels developed a Food In Burnaby map. This map, updated annually, identifies where you can find various markets and grocery stores, community food programs, meal programs, community gardens and farmers markets.

In partnership with Burnaby Community Services, the YMCA of Greater Vancouver and MOSAIC, Burnaby Meals on Wheels opened the Brentwood Community Resource Centre on May 2nd, 2014. Located in the heart of Burnaby, the Centre provides support and resources to meet the diverse needs of the community with programs for children & families, seniors, youth and newcomers.

With funding from the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program Burnaby Meals on Wheels began the Let’s Do Lunch program. This new program promotes healthy eating with friendly volunteers visiting seniors in their homes to share lunch, form friendships and provide information on community support and social events.

Currently, Burnaby Meals on Wheels provides over 135 clients with more than 9,000 meals annually. With the funding from the Community Gaming Grant, we offer two distinctive services offered within the Meals on Wheels program. Affordable, hot meals with our Home Meal Delivery program; and meals/frozen dinners at no cost from our Food Hub Burnaby for those who are unable to afford our regularly delivered meals.Burnaby Meals on Wheels is grateful for the support of the City of Burnaby who provides permissive tax exemptions and lease grants for our charitable society.