Claire Fiddian-Green: Meals on Wheels supports recovery one meal at a time

Meals on Wheels of Central Indiana’s NO Limits to Recovery program is reshaping how we support individuals in early recovery from substance use disorder. The program’s early success stories are a positive boost for those who either have loved ones in recovery or are in recovery themselves.

This pilot program, launched in honor of former MOWCI Outreach Coordinator Nathan Otolski, provides 10 medically tailored meals each week and a monthly pantry box to individuals living in recovery residences across Marion County for 90 days. After the first 60 days, participants are invited to join a Cooking Matters class, where they learn to prepare healthy, affordable meals—skills that support both independence and wellness.

The concept is rooted in a growing body of research: Proper nutrition plays a critical role in recovery. Individuals recovering from substance use disorders often face nutritional deficiencies that can hinder both physical and mental healing. Poor nutrition can contribute to depression, anxiety and fatigue, which are among the factors that can increase the risk of relapse. NO Limits to Recovery addresses this head-on, offering not just nutrition, but consistency and care during a vulnerable time.

The need for programs like this is urgent. While the rates of fatal drug poisonings have decreased from their highest point in 2021, Marion County’s rate in 2023 was almost double that of Indiana’s rate, which was itself higher than the U.S. average. While treatment options have expanded in recent years, the transition from clinical care to independent living remains a fragile period. Nationally, relapse rates for substance use disorders range from 40% to 60%, comparable to chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension.

By providing those with substance use disorder who are in early recovery with a consistent supply of nutritious, medically tailored meals and pantry items, MOWCI improves their nutritional status, reduces food insecurity, and gives them an opportunity to focus on what’s most important at that time: their recovery.

The results speak for themselves: In the first year, 60% of the clients NO Limits to Recovery has served have graduated from the program, and 100% of those graduates are still in recovery.

I find this program and its promising results incredibly hopeful and am proud the pilot was funded by a two-year grant from my organization, the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation. It shows what can happen when we meet people where they are and respond with empathy and intention. It reminds us that healing doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens in connection.

Programs like NO Limits to Recovery demonstrate that when we nourish both body and spirit, we’re not just helping individuals—we’re strengthening the entire community.

Meals on Wheels of Central Indiana is proving that something as simple as a meal can be a catalyst for healing, stability and long-term success.•

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Fiddian-Green is president and CEO of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, whose mission is to advance the vitality of Indianapolis and the well-being of its people. Send comments to [email protected].

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