Delivering Since 1966: SOS Meals on Wheels Celebrates 60 Years of Service With Oct. 17 Oakland Event

The Alameda County nonprofit organization has grown from 10 meals a day to over half a million meals a year delivered to homebound seniors

SAN LEANDRO, Calif., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, SOS Meals on Wheels (SOSMOW), the Alameda County nonprofit that combats food insecurity and isolation among homebound older adults through daily nutritious meals and personal connection, announced it will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a milestone celebration on Saturday, Oct. 17, at BLOC15 in Oakland. Since 1966, the organization has grown from a single church kitchen in Hayward into the largest senior nutrition provider in Alameda County, reaching people in eight cities and helping thousands of older adults remain in their own homes.

"For 60 years, this community has shown up for its older neighbors in our kitchen, behind the wheel, and at the front door," said Charlie Deterline, Executive Director for SOSMOW. "This celebration is our thank you to everyone who got us here and an invitation to help us meet a need that keeps growing. We want seniors across Alameda County to know we will be here for the next 60 years."

SOSMOW began in 1966, when community activist Emma Vargas began preparing 10 meals a day under the name Service Opportunity for Seniors. The program became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1970 and joined the national Meals on Wheels network. The organization's reach widened steadily over the decades, with annual meal service climbing to 167,000 in 2012. A new San Leandro facility with a commercial kitchen opened in 2013, and service to Oakland began in 2014. When the COVID-19 pandemic brought a surge in need in 2020, SOSMOW topped 500,000 meals in a single year for the first time, and in 2023, it began serving the Tri-City area. Over the past year, more than 660 volunteers helped deliver more than 530,000 meals to 3,000 seniors across Alameda County. Just last month, the organization delivered its milestone 10 millionth meal.

Over the next 60 years, demand for SOSMOW services is expected to grow as Alameda County's senior population expands. At the same time, federal and municipal funding remains uncertain, and funding cuts across the nonprofit sector are forcing organizations that provide essential services to scale back or close their doors. Businesses interested in sponsoring the celebration can learn more at sosmow.org/sponsor, and in-kind donations for the silent auction are welcome. Tickets are available now at 60years.sosmow.org/#gala.

ABOUT SOS MEALS ON WHEELS
Founded in 1966, SOS Meals on Wheels is the largest senior nutrition provider in Alameda County and one of the largest Meals on Wheels programs in Northern California. Its mission is to foster the independence and dignity of older adults by reducing food insecurity and isolation through daily nutritious meals, friendly visits, and connections to support services. Learn more at sosmow.org.

Media Contact
Gabriel Muñoz
(510) 789-8917
[email protected] 

SOURCE SOS Meals on Wheels