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Delicious healthy meals when you can't cook for yourself

New Dawn Meals on Wheels is a non-profit organization that prepares and delivers over 40,000 nutritious meals each year to people in our community who are unable to prepare meals on their own.

Are you (or a loved one) recovering from a recent hospital stay? Is grocery shopping or meal preparation increasingly difficult? Do you worry that your loved one is not eating properly? We can help

Simple

No referral process. No age restriction. No income restriction. Delivered by our team of trusted volunteers.

Affordable

Rather than a fixed price per meal, clients are charged a subsidized rate based on annual household income.

Nutritious

All meals are cardiac-friendly and diabetic-friendly, overseen by a Registered Dietician, and prepared in a licensed kitchen.

Healthy eating promotes not only physical health but general wellbeing. It reduces the risk for chronic diseases at older ages, and leads to increased autonomy.

Meal Cost

New Dawn Meals on Wheels operates on a sliding scale fee-for-service model designed to ensure that the prepared meal service remains accessible to those who need it regardless of their financial situation. Rather than a flat rate, the cost per meal is determined by verifying annual household income (CRA Notice of Assessment line 150).

As of 2026, pricing ranges from $7.00 per meal for those with a household income at or below $32,726, up to $21 per meal for those earning over $77,731 or for meals billed through third-party organizations. This tiered structure keeps meals affordable for lower-income individuals while maintaining a sustainable business model that covers the rising costs of operations.

Register Online

Details

Monday to Thursday
Sydney and area

Meals are delivered Monday to Thursday by a team of trustworthy volunteers, who also provide regular social contact and a friendly face.

Delivery Area: Sydney, Membertou, Sydney River, Westmount, Coxheath, Ashby, Whitney Pier.

Sign Up

For more information, or to register yourself or a loved one, contact us or fill out the form:

170 George St, Sydney
902-562-1245
mealsonwheels@newdawn.ca
Register Online

Cancellation Policy

When school is cancelled in the CBRM due to weather, Meals on Wheels will not operate.

You can find out about weather-related cancellations in the following ways:

Holidays

Meals on Wheels is closed for holidays, including Christmas, Labour Day, and Thanksgiving Day. If you require special arrangements due to paused services on holidays, please contact our office at least one week in advance to discuss alternative options.

For a full list of holidays observed by New Dawn Meals on Wheels, get the 2026 Schedule below:

DOWNLOAD 2026 Schedule

FAQ

Who is New Dawn Meals on Wheels for?

Open

New Dawn Meals on Wheels is for anyone who struggles to prepare meals due to age-related changes, disability, illness, injury, or grief. There are no age or income restrictions, and no referral is necessary.

We serve Sydney and the surrounding area, including downtown, Membertou, Alexandra Street, Coxheath, Westmount, Sydney River, Whitney Pier, Ashby, Upper Prince Street.

Live outside our service area? Meals can also be picked up at our kitchen in the Eltuek Arts Centre, 170 George St. Sydney. We can refer you to other Meals on Wheels services in the area.

What kind of meals do you offer?

Open

We offer a variety of nutritious, home-style meals prepared in our licensed kitchen and overseen by a registered dietitian. We have two main menu options:


  • Regular Menu: Features a rotating selection of comfort foods like pasta, home-style meats, potatoes and vegetables, as well as favourites like corned beef and cabbage and turkey dinner. Cold options include a classic soup and sandwich combo. Meals are designed to be enjoyed, within reason, as part of a heart-healthy and diabetic-friendly diet.
  • Alternate Menu: Tailored for specific dietary needs including diabetic, Warfarin, cardiac, and renal restrictions. These meals are also dairy-free, wheat-free, and free of onions and garlic.

We also do our best to accommodate allergies.

How much do meals cost?

Open

Meals are priced between $7 and $21, depending on household income. For third-party providers, meals are $21. We offer subsidies for low-income clients. To qualify, you must provide a copy of your CRA Notice of Assessment (line 150) from the past two years.

How and when are meals delivered?

Open

Meals are delivered by our dedicated volunteers on weekday afternoons (Monday - Thursday) between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM.

Can you accommodate special diets?

Open

Yes, we do our best to accommodate different dietary needs. Our menus are overseen by a registered dietitian and we offer an Alternate Menu specifically for those with dietary restrictions, including:

  • Diabetic
  • Warfarin
  • Cardiac
  • Renal
  • Dairy-free
  • Wheat-free
  • Onion and garlic-free

We also accommodate allergies wherever possible. If you have a specific allergy or dietary requirement, please contact us to discuss how we can meet your needs.

Do I have to get a meal every day?

Open

No, you can choose as many or as few meals a week as you like. We offer flexible plans so you can get meals that fit your individual schedule and preferences.

What is a "wellness check"?

Open

For most clients, our service includes a wellness check. If you are not home when your meal is delivered, the volunteer will try to contact you or your emergency contact. If we are unable to reach anyone, we may ask local authorities to perform a wellness check to ensure your safety.

Can I get a no-contact delivery?

Open

Yes, you can arrange for no-contact delivery if you are not regularly home during the delivery window. However, by choosing this option, you waive the wellness check. We highly recommend that you have a trusted individual check on you regularly if you choose this option.

What if I need to cancel a meal?

Open

We require 24-hour notice to cancel a meal and avoid being charged. You can notify us by phone (leaving a detailed message) or by email.

Do you deliver on holidays or during bad weather?

Open

We do not operate on statutory and non-statutory holidays. If a holiday falls on a weekend, there will be no delivery on the following Monday. You are encouraged to keep an extra meal on hand for holidays and unexpected closures.

Meal delivery may also be canceled due to inclement weather. We follow the lead of the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education — if they cancel school, our meal service will not operate.

What other services do you offer?

Open

Beyond meal delivery, our team can help connect you with other community resources, such as homecare, footcare, and cleaning services. We are here to support your overall well-being.

How can I get more information or sign up?

Open

You can contact us at 902-562-1245, email us at mealsonwheels@newdawn.ca, or visit our office at the Eltuek Arts Centre, Unit 202, 170 George Street, Sydney, Nova Scotia. You can also visit our website at newdawnmealsonwheels.ca.

Volunteer

Make a difference
in someone's life

We're always in need of new volunteers! We will provide you with the training and tools you need to make a difference in the lives of seniors and vulnerable people living in our community. Volunteering with New Dawn Meals on Wheels is also a great opportunity to socialize and meet new people.

Delivering for Meals on Wheels takes just 1–2 hours per week! Prefer to help in the kitchen? A volunteer shift is only 3 hours.

Register to Volunteer

We rely on dedicated volunteers to deliver meals. Our volunteers are the heart of the organization!

Corporate Volunteering

Is your business looking for a way to give back to your community?

New Dawn Meals on Wheels is teaming up with local businesses to help improve access to nutritious meals for members of our community, and we need your help! Our Corporate Volunteering Program provides a meaningful way for your organization to get involved in the community by donating just a couple of hours of employee time each work week.

Our Adopt-a-Route Program invites groups to take ownership of a weekly Meals on Wheels route, delivering meals and offering a friendly check-in for seniors and others we serve. We are also looking for casual volunteers and can provide one-off opportunities to get involved and make a difference with Meals on Wheels.

Learn more

or sign-up today to make an impact in your community!

Register to Volunteer

Details

How it works:

  • Businesses who sign-up begin by organizing a group of volunteers within their workplace.
  • New Dawn Meals on Wheels will visit work workplace to deliver volunteer training to your volunteer group.
  • Your volunteer group will decide which delivery route works best for your business and create a weekly volunteer schedule.
  • Each week, one scheduled volunteer will spend 1-2 hours delivering meals to members of our community.

The benefits:

  • Increased community profile through recognition as a community partner on social media.
  • Framed certificate of partnership to display at your business.
  • 77% of consumers are motivated to purchase from companies committed to making the world better. (Forbes, 2022)
  • Research shows that employees who volunteer through work report feeling better about their employer and stronger bonds with their co-workers. (Forbes, 2022)
  • Research shows that volunteer time-off programs can build soft skills like public speaking, communication, teamwork, problem solving, work ethic, and time management. (Forbes, 2022)

“It's definitely something worth doing — it's not a big time commitment and you can make it work with your work schedule. You can see that even a couple of minutes of interaction can make a big difference in people's day.”

— Mark MacLeod, dedicated corporate volunteer

How your donation helps

1
Social Contact

Frequent social contact and interaction with our volunteers.

2
Independence

An opportunity to maintain and regain independence at home.

3
Relief for Caregivers

Primary caregivers can attend to other tasks or take time for themselves.

4
Comfort for Family

Loved ones are provided with regular meals and a caring connection.

5
Well-being

We work together to ensure our community is well cared for.

Make a one-time donation, or turn your donation into a monthly gift — it’s the gift that keeps on giving!

Donate Now

Safe Spaces Policy

Everyone deserves a
safe inclusive environment

Our Safe Spaces policy ensures a respectful, supportive atmosphere for everyone. We pledge to listen, learn, and adapt to your needs, because your well-being is our priority. Together, we will create a safer, compassionate community for all.

Safe Spaces Policy

Staff

Sara Roth
Manager, Meals on Wheels 902-539-9560 ext.224
Shannon MacNeil
Head Cook / Meals on Wheels Kitchen Manager 902-539-9560 ext.231
Cara Brennan
Community Meals Programs Coordinator 902-562-1245
Lisa Ratchford
Sous Chef 902-539-9560
Laura MacDonald
Assistant Cook 902-539-9560
Jackie MacKeigan
Meals on Wheels Kitchen Assistant 902-539-9560
John MacKeigan
Meals on Wheels Kitchen Steward 902-539-9560

Contact

170 George St, Sydney
902-562-1245
mealsonwheels@newdawn.ca

Job Postings

Title Schedule Wage/Salary Status
Good Food Bus: Market Assistant Full-time, Temporary (8 weeks with the possibility of extension to 12 weeks) $16/hour APPLY by June 8, 2022 CLOSED
Assistant to Head Cook Permanent/Full Time $37,500 APPLY by June 17, 2022 CLOSED
Assistant to Head Cook, Meals on Wheels Full-Time $42,500 APPLY by September 11, 2023 CLOSED

Newsroom

Get in touch

New Dawn Enterprises
37 Nepean St, Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 6A7
newdawn@newdawn.ca
902-539-9560

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Eymu’ti’k Unama’ki

Eymu’ti’k Unama’ki, newte’jk l’uiknek te’sikl Mi’kmawe’l maqamikall mna’q iknmuetumittl. Ula maqamikew wiaqi-wikasik Wantaqo’tie’l aqq I’lamatultimkewe’l Ankukamkewe’l Mi’kmaq aqq Eleke’wuti kisa’matultisnik 1726ek.

We are in Unama’ki, one of the seven traditional and unceded ancestral territories of the people of Mi’kma’ki. This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship which the Mi’kmaq first signed with the British Crown in 1726.

Ketu’-keknuite’tmek aqq kepmite’tmek ula tela’matultimkip wjit maqamikew ta’n etekl mtmo’taqne’l. Ula tett, ula maqamikek, etl-lukutiek l’tunen aqq apoqntmnen apoqnmasimk aqq weliknamk Unama’ki.

We wish to recognize and honour this understanding of the lands on which we reside. It is from here, on these lands, that we work to create and support a culture of self-reliance and vibrancy.