Copper Shores Meals-on-Wheels shared progress with the public on the program’s expansion across Houghton County. In August 2025, the community voted to add a new millage to property taxes to support the meals-on-wheels program.
During a Tuesday update to the Houghton County Board of Commissioners, Program Director Jessica Mills spoke about the program’s recent expansion, elimination of its waitlist, and addition of two new “Meet & Eat” sites.
“We’ve been able to remove our waiting list completely, that put 52 seniors getting home delivered meals right off the bat. We’re also serving up to 60 more seniors every day,” Mills said.
The new sites allow seniors to dine inside and commingle with other community members. The new site in Twin Lakes now sees an average of 20-30 seniors per week, while the new site in Alston has begun attracting between 20-25 seniors weekly. Both locations have already doubled the seniors served from the first week.
Another site is planned to open further south, serving Sidnaw and Kenton. The Chassell Meet & Eat location has also been upgraded to the Chassell VFW hall. The foundation is evaluating other candidate locations in Houghton County to address identified needs.
Over the previous grant cycle from October through September, Meals-on-Wheels fed 81,829 homebound seniors in the community. Mills says the program will surpass its yearly goal this year with two months to spare, with an average of 350 meals served daily, up from the previous average of 170 meals.
Information about the Meals-on-Wheels program can be found on the Copper Shores website. Those interested in participating can inquire at coppershores.org.
