Meals on Wheels of Long Beach Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our mission is to support homebound seniors, veterans, individuals with chronic illnesses, and those with disabilities by providing nutritious meals, meaningful social connections, and a range of in-home support services. These efforts help our clients remain independent, well-nourished, safe, and comfortable in their own homes for as long as possible.
- Income
- $1.5 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 14.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 54%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 336
- Highest pay
- $96,064, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $1.1 million spent. Home Delivered Meals - Meals on Wheels of Long Beach provides nutritious, ready-to-eat meals to individuals who face challenges with grocery shopping or meal preparation and may lack consistent support from family or friends. Services are available to residents of Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, and Leisure World Seal Beach, regardless of age. Meals are delivered Monday through Friday (excluding major holidays) with care and compassion. Each delivery includes a hot dinner, cold lunch, dessert, and milk. In 2025, MOWLB delivered more than 140,000 meals to 793 unduplicated clients. Meal Deliveries support homebound seniors, veterans, individuals with chronic illnesses, and those with disabilities by providing nutritious meals, meaningful social connections, and a range of in-home support services. These efforts help our clients remain independent, well-nourished, safe, and comfortable in their own homes for as long as possible. Services are available to all qualified applicants at a subsidized cost. For those with limited income, meals and support services are fully subsidized following an intake assessment. This program is made possible through the generous support of individual donors, corporate partners, and philanthropic foundations. At MOWLB, we foster a family-like atmosphere, offering not only meals, but also compassion, comfort, and connection during times of stress and loneliness. Our meal deliveries also include:Friendly Visits - Our volunteers deliver more than meals. They provide companionship, kindness, and a vital connection to the outside world. During each delivery, volunteers offer friendly conversation and conduct informal wellness checks, reporting any concerns to staff. In 2025, volunteers conducted over 72,000 wellness checks, helping ensure the safety and well-being of our clients.Pets are Family Too - For many of our clients, pets are cherished companions and an important source of comfort. Through our Pets Are Family Too Program, we provide food for clients cats and dogs, helping them remain together. Client Support Services Program and Referrals - Our Client Support Services Program addresses essential needs beyond meal delivery, helping clients remain safe and comfortable at home. When needs exceed our scope, we connect clients with trusted local nonprofit partners to ensure they receive comprehensive care. We also secure and distribute donated items such as walkers, wheelchairs, bedding, and other essential supplies. Personal hygiene items are available to all clients, further supporting their dignity and well-being.Telephone Reassurance Program - Social isolation can significantly impact the health and well-being of homebound individuals. Our Telephone Reassurance Program provides friendly check-in calls once or twice a week for clients who need additional social interaction. In the past year, we made over 600 calls totaling more than 3,200 minutes of conversation. These calls help reduce loneliness, build meaningful relationships, and provide emotional support.California State University, Long Beach School of Nursing Partnership - MOWLB proudly partners with the School of Nursing at California State University, Long Beach. Nursing students are paired with clients who may benefit from additional attention and care. Students conduct in-home assessments and identify real-world challenges such as limited access to technology, financial hardship, transportation barriers, and home safety concerns. Working alongside faculty and MOWLB staff, they develop practical solutions and connect clients to resources, enhancing quality of life and reducing stress.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1973.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.