A meals on wheels driver delivers a meal to a local resident in Hillsborough County. (DL Photos)
Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County has been serving homebound seniors for nearly 50 years, but the past few years have brought unprecedented demand—and critical new sources of support to meet it.
In 1977, its first year of operation, Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County (HCMOW) delivered 149,338 meals and wellness checks. By 1987, that number had nearly doubled to more than 277,000. Since then, the need has only grown, and today, the organization reports a 171 percent surge in demand since 2022 alone.
Helping to meet that need is an unlikely partner: Gate City Casino.
Under New Hampshire’s unique charitable gaming system, a portion of revenue from table games and “Historic Horse Racing” (HHR) slot-style machines goes directly to nonprofit organizations. In 2024 alone, charitable gaming generated approximately $39 million for nonprofits across the state—including Meals on Wheels.
Volunteers pack lunches at Meals on Wheels site in Hillsborough County. (Locke & Load Photography)
“For the past two years, Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County has received enough funding to purchase more than 50,000 meals,” said Zach Paone, HCMOW’s director of development. “We’ve had to grow our fundraising revenue from about $800,000 to $1.2 million annually, and roughly 10 percent of that has come from charitable gaming.”
Paone emphasized that his organization does far more than deliver meals.
“The program is, historically, people are recognized as a friendly driver, pulling off to a home, bringing a meal in, checking on the person, making sure that they are all right,” he said. “So more than just providing nutrition, we are a vital resource for older adults.”
That support is especially crucial as federal funding—primarily through the Older Americans Act signed in 1965—has not kept pace with demand.
Unlike many similar programs nationwide that now maintain long waitlists, HCMOW prides itself on serving all who qualify, without delay. Maintaining that level of service would be impossible, Paone said, without support from charitable gaming.
Gate City Casino in Nashua, part of the charitable gaming system since 2016, has contributed more than $30 million to New Hampshire nonprofits over the past decade, according to casino partnerships director Gia Bonilla.
“As the organizations will attest, the funds from charitable gaming are very important to them in maintaining their operations and fulfilling their missions,” Bonilla said.
Bonilla added that the benefits of charitable gaming extend beyond nonprofits, generating local jobs and millions in tax revenue. But it’s the tangible impact—like a hot meal delivered to a senior’s front door—that brings the casino’s charitable mission to life.
Looking ahead, HCMOW is expanding its services to offer greater variety and dignity in food choices. Its new Dine Out Club provides seniors with meal cards that can be used up to eight times a month at local restaurants, giving them up to 12 meal options per visit.
“[Recipients] want to go to a restaurant, and they want to be able to see that they have options,” Paone said. “We work with these wonderful restaurants, and our nutritionist collaborates with them to ensure the meals meet our standards while respecting the restaurant’s culture.”
For Paone and the team at Meals on Wheels, the goal remains the same: nourishment, connection, and community.
“We have been fortunate enough to participate in charitable gaming, which provides a substantial amount of revenue to sustain our mission,” he said. “And our mission is more important now than ever.”
Meals on Wheels is always looking for volunteers, which can be found through their website, https://www.hcmow.org/ , or over the phone, 603-424-9967.
