Biaggi’s partners with Eden Prairie Meals on Wheels to prepare meals for homebound individuals

By John Molene

Meals on Wheels have never been known for delivering gourmet haute cuisine – until now.

A new partnership between the Meals on Wheels of Eden Prairie and popular Eden Prairie restaurant Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano began in mid-May. The partnership means all Meals on Wheels clients will receive one hot meal each weekday, prepared by Biaggi’s and delivered by program volunteers.

The local Meals on Wheels program delivers hot meals to between 40 and 50 shut-in clients a day in Eden Prairie. Clients get an entree, bread and butter, fruit, dessert and milk or juice.

The Eden Prairie Meals on Wheels program delivers meals to homebound individuals, regardless of age and/or income level.

A short lunchtime chat between Lisa Toomey, program director of Meals on Wheels, and Gary Chanen, managing partner of Biaggi’s, led to the arrangement.

Toomey told Chanen she was somewhat unhappy with her present caterer.

“He didn’t even skip a beat,” she recalled as Chanen delivered his restaurant to cater the meals for the program. “He’s very supportive.”

For Gary Chanen, managing partner of Biaggi’s, it was easy to say yes to Meals on Wheels. Both he and his wife have been Meals on Wheels volunteer drivers for three years in their hometown and he was well acquainted with the value the program provides to its clients.

“It’s a great cause,” said Chanen. “It’s a nice way to reach out to the community. It’s a great way.”

All of the Meals on Wheels meals come directly from Biaggi’s restaurant menu – from a chicken Marsala entree to pastas and sandwiches.

“The variety is fantastic,” Toomey said. “The clients love it – I got a note saying, ‘Yum, yum.’”

Biaggi’s now provides the entree and sides for all Meals on Wheels of Eden Prairie clients. The meals are usually prepared the night before by Biaggi’s kitchen staff, then picked up and taken to St. Andrew’s for final preparation and then distribution to volunteer drivers who deliver them to area clients.

While meal delivery is the foundation of the program, another important job for the volunteer drivers is to check on the welfare of their individual clients. For some homebound recipients, a Meals on Wheels driver might be their only human contact all day.

Meals on Wheels of Eden Prairie is a nonprofit program with approximately 70 percent of its funding costs coming from area church donations. Donations are tax deductible. The program gets the remainder of its funding from the county, the city and from private businesses.

Biaggi’s will also host a fundraising lunch for Meals on Wheels on Sunday, June 8. The cost is $15 per person or $40 per family.

“I think it’s terrific Biaggi’s stepped up,” said Toomey.

“It’s exciting to spread our wings,” answered Chanen.

For more information on Meals on Wheels of Eden Prairie, call 952-937-1478.

If you go

Biaggi’s is hosting a fundraising lunch for Meals on Wheels on Sunday, June 8. The cost is $15 per person or $40 per family (tax deductible). For tickets, contact Charlotte Butz at 952-937-9795.