Meals On Wheels received a $2,500 grant from Meals on Wheels America for its client pet support program.
Knowing that seniors with pets are 36 percent less likely to report loneliness and have 21 percent fewer doctor visits, ACCA Meals On Wheels is proud of the grant.
The money will be used to provide food, supplies and care, all of which can be financially and physically burdensome for ACCA Meals On Wheels clients with pets.
“We are grateful to have received this grant since 2008, which helps us afford pet food assistance, vet care and supplies for our client’s pets. We were able to serve 44 more pets last fiscal year,” said Morgan O’Kelley, coordinator for home-delivered meals. “Pets provide love and companionship and are family to our homebound seniors. Studies show that seniors are happier and less likely to get sick having pets in the home.
“Pet care can be very expensive and often times seniors on a fixed income will be faced with decisions to buy pet food or food for themselves. Fifty-seven percent of our clients report they are able to keep their pets happy and healthy due to the support of MOW pet food donations.”
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, which in October 2015 gave Meals on Wheels America all funding and grants administration responsibilities for its popular Pet Assistance Grant Program. Since its inception, the grant program has distributed more than $2.1 million in funding and pet food donations to more than 300 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.”
