Shopping the aisles at the local grocery store is a simple joy many of us experience regularly. But for many in Northwest Indiana, that joy comes in a different form: A warm meal delivered with care.

This year, more than 3,200 of your neighbors, 70% of them seniors facing health challenges and unable to get out to shop, will receive nourishing meals right at their doorstep thanks to the compassion and commitment of Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana.

You can support that effort from Monday, Oct. 6 through Sunday, Oct. 19, as Meals on Wheels of NWI benefits from Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up. Customers across the Region round up their purchase to the nearest dollar when shopping at their local Strack & Van Til store, with those extra funds donated to the organization.

According to Director of Development Jenifer Okamura, funds received through the Round Up will help MOW cover the cost of preparing, providing and delivering hot, nutritious meals to neighbors in need, purchasing vans and raising awareness about expanding their reach throughout Northwest Indiana.

MOW has been delivering those meals to the doorsteps of those in need for 48 years. Each day, volunteers and staff combine to drive a minimum of 75 routes, serving more than 10,000 meals per week to clients in Lake, Porter, Newton, Jasper, Starke and Pulaski Counties. It also prepares meals for the LaPorte County Meals on Wheels Program.

In May of 2025, MOW launched a program to conduct outreach to provide nutritional services to older individuals in Jasper, Porter, Starke and Pulaski Counties. As a result, they have provided services to 1,500 individuals, delivering a frozen seven-pack of meals once a week and monthly fresh produce, bringing approximately 80,000 frozen meals to their doorsteps.

Beginning in July, MOW provided freezers and began its program to deliver frozen meals to six local shelters serving domestic violence survivors, including adults and children.

In August, Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana achieved a major milestone serving 10 million meals to those in need throughout Northwest Indiana since its inception.

“The Checkout Challenge is an ideal collaboration for Meals on Wheels of NWI,” says CEO Ryan Elinkowski. “We are so grateful to the amazing Strack & Van Til customers who are investing their hard-earned dollars to help serve our Northwest Indiana neighbors. Thank you, Strack & Van Til, for providing the platform and opportunity. Every penny given through the Checkout Challenge will benefit our community; we need the support now more than ever.”

Strack & Van Til continues its more than 96-year tradition of philanthropy by raising funds through the Checkout Challenge Round Up program to help organizations in the communities it serves throughout Northwest Indiana.

President Jeff Strack credits customer generosity and employee commitment for the success of the Checkout Challenge Round Ups.

“Giving back to the communities we serve is just naturally a part of Strack & Van Til’s culture. We are incredibly grateful to our customers who contribute to these Round Up campaigns and make a difference in the lives of so many people,” Strack says. “Our customers are the best. They are the ones who give back to the community. Our stores, with the help of our employees, simply provide our customers with an outlet to donate to some of their favorite local organizations.”

Show your support for Meals on Wheels by participating in Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up.

For more information on programs, to volunteer or to donate to Meals on Wheels NWI, visit mownwi.org. To learn more about Strack & Van Til’s community involvement, visit strackandvantil.com/community.