Meals on Wheels of Tampa expands to Apollo Beach area

For more than 50 years, Meals on Wheels of Tampa has delivered meals and a la carte smiles to seniors and homebound residents in the greater Tampa area. Now, the volunteer-powered nonprofit has expanded its services to meet the need in the south Hillsborough County community Apollo Beach. That means providing daily healthy, nutritious meals and human interaction to 80-100 residents living in the 33534 and 33572 zip codes. 

“We are neighbors serving neighbors,” says Meals on Wheels of Tampa Chief Executive Officer Mandy Cloninger. “Our mission is to enrich the body, nourish the spirit, and strengthen the community.”

As Hillsborough County continues to grow, so too does the number of older adults living longer with fewer resources. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey, 14 percent of seniors 65 and older inHillsborough County are living below the poverty line. That’s higher than the state’s 12 percent rate and the national rate of 11 percent.  After surveying several areas of Hillsborough to identify pressing needs, Apollo Beach emerged as a community with residents in need of services and volunteers willing to help. 

Meals on Wheels services are at once altruistic and fiscally helpful. Cloninger says that it costs approximately $2,000 per year to deliver meals to a recipient. That amount is less than the cost of one night spent in an emergency room or three days in an assisted living facility.  Regular meals and meaningful visits can help neighbors stay healthy, independent, and in their own home. 

This “no neighbor left behind” motto is a core tenet of Meals on Wheels. To achieve that aim, the meals, prepared fresh each day onsite, include a mix of popular classics and modern dishes. Participants choose from three menus: heart healthy, diabetic friendly, and renal friendly. Every recyclable tray delivered to the doorstep comes with a side of compassion. 

Gloria Fuentes, a Tampa resident who was facing difficulty caring for two homebound relatives living on opposite ends of the city, formed Meals on Wheels of Tampa in 1975. Today, the nonprofit organization serves more than 1,000 meals a day. Cloninger, the former chief impact officer at Feeding Tampa Bay, was hired as CEO in late 2025. She succeeded longtime CEO Steve King, who retired after 19 years leading the nonprofit. 

Future plans include expansion to the Thonotosassa area in eastern Hillsborough County. As the Apollo Beach network continues to grow, expansion in southern Hillsborough County is expected as well. If you are in Ruskin, Wimauma, or Sun City and interested in volunteering or receiving meals, please contact the organization.

How can you get involved?

• Sign up for meals – Those in the serviced areas that are aged 62+ or homebound due to a physical or medical condition or unable to prepare meals safely may be eligible. Recipients must reside in a private residence or apartment. Caregivers and spouses may also qualify. Apply online at mowtampa.org/meal-service or call: (813)238-8410 for more information. Donations to offset costs are requested but never mandatory.
• Volunteer – Share 60-90 minutes of your time on a regular basis to deliver meals and smiles. Dropoff includes 8-12 meals/route and volunteers may choose to help once a week, once a month, or as part of a team. Sign up here: mowtampa.org/volunteer. 
• Give – Meals on Wheels of Tampa is privately funded and accepts no money from the government. Local businesses, faith communities, and civic groups interested in supporting the expansion are welcomed.