Pet Pals program gets boost from Meals on Wheels America grant
June 24, 2016
COLUMBIA, SC – Meals on Wheels America has awarded a $2,500 grant to Senior Resources to support the agency’s Pet Pals program. The grant will buy dog and cat food for the pets of Meals on Wheels clients.
Pet Pals was started by Senior Resources in 2006, when some Meals on Wheels volunteers began reporting that they noticed previous days’ food trays left on the floor or at the back door of their clients’ homes.
“These clients were unable to purchase food for their pets due to financial or transportation restrictions. Rather than letting their beloved pets go hungry, they were sharing their delivered meals with their pets,” said Senior Resources Executive Director Pam Dukes. “When we heard these reports, we established our Pet Pals program to provide pet food to these clients so that they would not have to sacrifice their own meals.”
The program currently serves 50 pets of 22 Meals on Wheels clients. A monthly supply of pet food is delivered to these clients on the third weekend of each month. Studies have shown that seniors with pets are 36% less likely to report loneliness and have 21% fewer doctor visits.
In total, Meals on Wheels America has granted $300,000 to 162 local Meals on Wheels programs through the Meals on Wheels Loves Pets initiative this year. Funding is made possible in part through a donation from Banfield Charitable Trust (BCT), who in October of 2015, handed over all funding and grants administration responsibilities for their popular Pet Assistance Grant Program to Meals on Wheels America. To date, the grant program has distributed more than $2.1 million in funding and pet food donations to over 300 local Meals on Wheels programs across the nation.
“The Meals on Wheels Loves Pets initiative is just another way that Meals on Wheels can deliver so much more than just a meal,” said Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander. “Through grant funding, educational opportunities and in-kind donations for our member programs, we hope to grow current pet programs and help those looking to start new ones.”
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 Meals on Wheels America
Meals on Wheels America is the oldest and largest national organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger. This network exists in virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million staff and volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership, education, research and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
