Demand for Meals on Wheels in Alpharetta, Milton and surrounding communities has surged 20% in six months, as rising costs push more seniors on fixed incomes to seek help putting food on the table.

Senior Services North Fulton, headquartered at 3560 Old Milton Pkwy. in Alpharetta, delivered more than 59,000 meals across Roswell, Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek and Sandy Springs in 2025, according to an Appen Media profile published Aug. 7. The nonprofit has operated for about 35 years and now counts more than 500 volunteers, most of them delivering meals.

The strain is visible beyond the kitchen. In May, Senior Services North Fulton staff member Heather Terry told WSB-TV that rising prices were hitting seniors on fixed incomes especially hard, and that for the first time, 117 people were on a waitlist for the organization's transportation services.

A $1,400 check, stretched thin

William "Tommy" Bloodworth Jr., 71, a Roswell resident diagnosed with heart disease in 2014, knows what that financial pressure feels like. He estimates he spends 30% of his monthly disability check on medications. At the time of his diagnosis, he was receiving about $1,400 a month in Social Security disability benefits. After paying $200 for blood thinners, little remained for groceries.

"Once I started getting meals from Meals on Wheels, my food situation didn't become so tight anymore," Bloodworth told Appen Media in the Aug. 7 profile. "I was able to relax a little bit."

On pleasant afternoons, Bloodworth waits on his back porch for the familiar volunteer cars to roll up his driveway. He knows the drivers by first name. His cat, Princess Cleo, gets monthly pet food deliveries through the organization's Meals on Wheels for Pets program.

When Bloodworth was hospitalized in April after a health scare, volunteers checked in on him throughout his rehabilitation. He said seeing familiar faces meant a great deal during his recovery.

How the program works

Meals on Wheels through Senior Services North Fulton serves Fulton County residents age 60 and older in Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek, Mountain Park, Roswell and Sandy Springs who have a medical or physical limitation making meal preparation difficult, or a financial need for daily nutrition. Meals arrive Monday through Friday; clients who need weekend meals receive two extra deliveries on Friday.

The organization also runs Pantry to You, partnering with North Fulton Community Charities to deliver nonperishable groceries twice a month to clients with financial need.

Michelle Williams, director of meals and volunteer services, said each delivery frees seniors to put more of their limited income toward rent, medications and other essentials. She noted the 500-plus volunteers deliver hundreds of meals across North Fulton each week while reducing isolation among older adults who live alone.

Senior Services North Fulton is actively seeking volunteers for Meals on Wheels routes, pet food deliveries, the Pantry to You program and its Friends visitor program. Residents interested in volunteering or learning about services can call 770-993-1906 or visit ssnorthfulton.org.