Our History

MEOC has served southwest Virginia since 1974 in response to the Federal Administration on Aging’s action to administer a needs assessment for the region’s elderly residents and to develop new initiatives to serve the public’s aging population.

During the months following the passing of the Older Americans Act, a series of public hearings were held that led to the creation of a private non-profit entity to serve the region. That entity became Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc.

The first services were a program to deliver meals to frail and homebound older persons and group meal programs across the region to serve more active older citizens in need of support. The Emergency Fuel Fund was also organized in response to overwhelming need for this support.

Every year since its inception in 1974, MEOC has seen expansion of programs and services along with new and innovative ways to further its mission.