St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields Foundation awards Cloak and Sword grant to Meals on Wheels program
May 12, 2016
Senior Resources received a $1,500 grant from the Cloak and Sword Fund of the St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields Foundation to support the Meals on Wheels program. The funding will be used to provide more than 200 hot, daily meals to home-bound seniors and disabled adults in the Midlands.
“Eighteen percent of the seniors in our community suffer from food instability, meaning they are not able to afford and access food on a consistent basis,” said Senior Resources Executive Director Pam Dukes. “This grant from the St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields Foundation will help us deliver a daily hot meal and the peace of mind that goes with it.”
According to the National Foundation to End Senior Hunger (NFESH), South Carolina ranks seventh-worst in the nation for food instability among senior citizens. The nutritionally balanced meals delivered by Meals on Wheels volunteers provide one-third of the daily nutritional requirements for the homebound seniors. Senior Resources is the only provider of Meals on Wheels in Richland County.
The grant is one of 11 given by the St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields Foundation to local non-profit agencies.
“The St. Martin’s Foundation seeks to make life better for those in need in our community, following the example of our patron saint, Martin of Tours, who gave his cloak to a freezing man walking the streets without a coat,” said Scott Gribbin, chairperson of the Foundation. “Our prayer is that Foundation grants will help these programs decrease the vulnerability of Midlands residents in need of compassion and care.”
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.
