Tyson Foods grant provides Meals on Wheels service for five Midlands seniors
May 1, 2017
Tyson Foods has awarded a grant in the amount of $9,250 to Senior Resources’ Meals on Wheels program. The funding will provide daily delivery of a hot meal to five Richland County seniors for one year.
“Most of us don’t realize how difficult it is for some people to simply leave their homes to get the food they need,” said Debra Vernon, director of corporate social responsibility for Tyson Foods. “This donation will not only result in a greater number of clients being served, but also increase awareness of food insecurity in Richland County.”
With a corps of more than 300 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 clients.
“Last year, our volunteers delivered more than 91,000 meals to more than 543 elderly and disabled adults in Richland County,” said Senior Resources Executive Director Pam Dukes. “But we also have a waiting list of people we can’t afford to serve. This generous donation from Tyson Foods will help us in our efforts to serve more of the seniors in our community who need assistance.”
According to the National Foundation to End Senior Hunger (NFESH), South Carolina ranks fourth-worst in the nation for food instability among senior citizens. More than 19 percent of South Carolina’s senior citizens are threatened with hunger, according to a 2016 report from NFESH. Senior Resources is the only provider of Meals on Wheels in Richland County.
“In most cases, the meal our volunteers deliver is the only meal of the day for the clients we serve,” Dukes said. “Without meal delivery, many of our clients would be forced to choose between paying for food, or for medication and household expenses.”
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 Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world’s largest food companies with leading brands such as Tyson ® , Jimmy Dean ® , Hillshire Farm ® , Sara Lee ® , Ball Park ® , Wright ® , Aidells ® and State Fair ® . It’s a recognized market leader in chicken, beef and pork as well as prepared foods, including bacon, breakfast sausage, turkey, lunchmeat, hot dogs, pizza crusts and toppings, tortillas and desserts. The company supplies retail and foodservice customers throughout the United States and approximately 115 countries. Tyson Foods was founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson, whose family has continued to lead the business with his son, Don Tyson, guiding the company for many years and grandson, John H. Tyson, serving as the current chairman of the board of directors. The company currently has approximately 114,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.
