The Community Nutrition Network and Senior Services Association (CNNSSA or CNN) is an organization providing meals to older adults for more than 35 years. On behalf of the Meals on Wheels Foundation of Northern Illinois (MOWFNI), CNN serves meals to individuals 60 years or older as well as to their spouses or caregivers. In some circumstances, CNN also provides meals to individuals with disabilities, regardless of their age. CNN operates 27 community café locations in Suburban Cook County, Kendall County, Grundy County, and Will County. CNN also offers home delivered meals to eligible individuals throughout these counties. There is a small, suggested donation per meal, but no one is ever turned away if they do not donate. Find your nearest café location or delivery option.
CNN works with local faith-based organizations, healthcare providers, and senior service agencies to reach isolated seniors who may not be aware of available meal programs. CNN also works to reach older adults from diverse backgrounds, including those with limited English proficiency, ensuring culturally inclusive meal services. Outreach efforts focus on Spanish-speaking, Polish, and other language communities to address barriers to accessing nutritious meals and social support.
In 2023, CNN served more than 9,500 seniors more than a million meals, including almost 916,000 home-delivered and nearly 120,000 in cafes. As our population ages, and food insecurity grows, services like CNN and Meals on Wheels are providing vital assistance to help seniors every day. In Illinois, 633,000 older adults are considered to be food insecure.
MOWFNI/CNN focus on ensuring that clients across northern Illinois have a variety of meal options including hot fresh meals delivered or served in a café, dine-in or carry-out melas from local restaurant partners, frozen meals, and emergency/shelf stable meals. All meals meet U.S. federal nutrition guidelines for older adults including whole grain and low sodium. CNN works to accommodate dietary restrictions and needs.
At CMSS’ West Suburban Senior Center in Bellwood, Illinois, CNN provides daily meals to older adults at the Senior Center. We offer a kitchen that CNN uses to prepare and serve the meal. CMSS offers programming, exercise classes, Bingo, an LGBT+ program, and more in the Senior Center as well, so older adults have a variety of reasons to visit and spend time at the Center. CMSS is happy to work together with CNN and Meals on Wheels to provide needed meals and socialization opportunities for older adults in the western suburbs.
MOWFNI and CNN rely on volunteers to help deliver meals and engage with older adults. Community members looking to make a difference can support by delivering meals or assisting at cafés.
