Tyson Foods helps senior resources reduce its Meals on Wheels waiting list
November 9, 2015
COLUMBIA, SC – Tyson Foods has awarded a grant in the amount of $18,850 to Senior Resources to help reduce its Meals on Wheels waiting list. The funding will allow Senior Resources to add 10 new slots to its meal delivery routes.
“Last year, our volunteers delivered 95,000 meals to more than 500 elderly and disabled adults in Richland County,” said Senior Resources Executive Director Pam Dukes. “But our waiting list consistently remains above 250 potential clients whom we cannot afford to serve. This generous grant from Tyson Foods will allow us to serve more seniors in need.”
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.
“Tyson Foods is committed to addressing the issue of hunger in the communities we serve,” said Mike Brister, human resources manager of Tyson Foods’ Columbia plant. “We are proud to partner with Senior Resources to meet the needs of this vulnerable population.”
With a corps of more than 800 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.
“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.”
Senior Resources is the only provider of Meals on Wheels in Richland County.
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 130 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 113,000 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.
