Bank of America continues generous support of Senior Resources with donation to Meals On Wheels
November 4, 2014
COLUMBIA, SC – The Bank of America Charitable Foundation, a longtime community partner with Senior Resources, has continued its generous support of the Meals On Wheels program with a $16,500 donation. The funds will be used to provide 2,174 meals to homebound seniors. That is the equivalent of serving almost nine clients for a full year.
Mark Hocutt, Vice President and Business Banking Client Manager for Bank of America in Columbia and a member of the Board of Directors for Senior Resources, presented the check to Senior Resources Executive Director, Pam Dukes.
With a corps of more than 1,000 volunteers, the Meals On Wheels program delivers a hot, nutritious meal each day to clients’ homes. The nutritionally balanced meals provide one-third of the daily nutritional requirements for the homebound seniors.
“Every year, Bank of America employees come together in a ‘volunteer blitz’ and take over the delivery routes to give our regular volunteers a day off,” Dukes said. “They see first-hand that the meal they deliver is often the only meal of the day for our clients. Without meal delivery, many of our clients would be forced to choose between paying for food, or for medication and household expenses.”
According to the National Foundation to End Senior Hunger (NFESH), South Carolina ranks seventh-worst in the nation for food instability among senior citizens. More than 18 percent of South Carolina’s senior citizens are threatened with hunger, according to a 2014 report from NFESH. Senior Resources is the only provider of Meals On Wheels services in Richland County.
Bank of America has also played a sponsorship role in many of the community events and fundraisers hosted by Senior Resources. At this year’s Every Senior Counts fundraiser luncheon on November 6, SC President for Bank of America Kim Wilkerson will be the keynote speaker and share some of her personal experiences with Meals On Wheels.
“Bank of America has been tremendously supportive of the programs and mission of Senior Resources over the years,” Dukes said. “We are grateful to have them on our side as we continue to shine a light on the needs of our senior citizens and make sure this population is not forgotten in the public eye.”
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation supports high-impact initiatives, organizations and the development of visionary leaders. Last year, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation contributed over $200 million to address critical issues facing neighborhoods and communities.
About Senior Resources, Inc.
Senior Resources is a non-profit organization that coordinates services, provides resources and encourages the personal choices that allow Columbia’s senior citizens to remain independent. All activities, services and programs of the agency are geared toward promoting independent living, with the goal of helping seniors remain in their homes as long as possible through the support of staff and volunteers, and delaying or preventing institutionalization.
Since 1967, Senior Resources has served Columbia’s frail and elderly residents in three areas:
1) In-home services, including Meals On Wheels, home care, respite care, senior companion services, and case management;
2) Community-based services, including congregate meals, wellness centers, transportation, and physical fitness;
3) Volunteer services, including the Senior Companion program, Foster Grandparent program, and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.
With local, state and federal government funding, as well as contributions from United Way, personal donations and fundraising activities, Senior Resources offers a variety of programs so that our clients can select the assistance they need to maintain a healthy and independent lifestyle.
