BI-LO donation provides emergency meals to Senior Resources’ Meals on Wheels clients
February 15, 2016
Senior Resources received a $8,700 grant from the BI-LO Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the parent company to BI-LO grocery stores.
The funding will be used to provide Meals on Wheels clients with shelf-stable meals that can be used during winter storms, power outages, or other events that cause a disruption in normal meal delivery.
“We have more than 800 volunteers who work hard to make sure the homebound seniors in our community receive a hot meal every day,” said Senior Resources Executive Director Pam Dukes. “But in times of inclement weather or other events that prevent our volunteers from making their normal deliveries, we want to be sure our clients still have a balanced, nutritious meal.”
According to the National Foundation to End Senior Hunger (NFESH), South Carolina ranks eighth-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 in Richland County. The nutritionally balanced meals provide one-third of the daily nutritional requirements for the homebound seniors.
“We are grateful to the BI-LO Foundation for helping us ensure our seniors’ needs are met even during difficult conditions,” Dukes said.
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.
About BI-LO
The BI-LO Foundation is the philanthropic arm of BI-LO, LLC, a subsidiary of Southeastern Grocers, which is the fifth-largest supermarket chain in the United States based on store count. Founded in 1961, BI-LO employs more than 15,000 associates who serve customers in approximately 181 grocery stores and 88 in-store pharmacies throughout the three southeastern states of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. For more information, please visit www.bi-lo.com and www.segrocers.com.
