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Grant Allows Meals On Wheels To Provide Pet Food
June 24, 2017
The Council on Aging of West Florida has received a $2,500 grant from Meals on Wheels America to support its client pet support program. Funding will be used to provide food, supplies and care for area clients with pets – all of which can be financially and physically burdensome.
“This grant will help jumpstart a meal-delivery program for clients’ pets, and we are so excited,” said John Clark, president/CEO of the Council on Aging of West Florida. “Many Meals on Wheels participants cannot afford animal food, so they give the pets a portion of their own food. This is, of course, not healthy for either the senior or the pet. By delivering animal food together with the clients’ regular home-delivered meal, we can ensure appropriate nutrition for both.”
In total, Meals on Wheels America has granted $300,000 to 193 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). To date, the grant program has distributed more than $2.4 million in funding and pet food donations.
“While the benefits of companionship are clear, taking care of a pet can be financially and physically challenging for seniors,” said Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander. “Meals on Wheels Loves Pets helps local Meals on Wheels providers alleviate this hardship and at the same time reduce the negative effects of isolation.”
An estimated 70 clients and 130 pets will be served through this grant, for a grand total of 4,060 pounds of distributed pet food. At program initiation, the food will be distributed twice a year. If outcome measures are met, Council on Aging will seek partnerships with the Pensacola Humane Society and other pet organizations to sustain the initiative.
To contact the Council on Aging of West Florida, call (850) 432-1475.
File photo.
Comments
10 Responses to “Grant Allows Meals On Wheels To Provide Pet Food”
This is a wonderful; program. We are so incredibly grateful to Meals on wheels and Council on Aging .
That is so very awesome. What a great idea. A good idea. A healthy idea. Thanks to Council on Aging, Meals on Wheels, Banfield Charitable Trust, Council on Aging and to everyone that has a part in facilitating this act of kindness to the elderly and to the animals.
at last the burecrats have done something right
What a wonderful, heartwarming story to tell. It is a great expenditure of funds and more should be allocated for this most worthwhile purpose.
What a great idea. So glad for the seniors, sometimes a pet is all that is left.
What a blessing!! ❤️
I 100% support this, so many elderly would feed their babies and go without, their animals in a lot of cases are what keeps them going, the love they feel for their pets! 100% YES!
How wonderful !!! It’s a true blessing. Elderly people love the companionship of a pet. The pet gives unconditional love that the seniors need. Most seniors I visit would rather feed the food provided for them to their pet because they can’t afford pet food. You may ask then, why does the senior continue to have a pet…several reasons, no family to talk to, family doesn’t visit, no friends, shut ins, etc… A pet provides all this and Love to this senior.
Thank you Meals on Wheels and Council on Aging!!!
This is something we seldom think about but is much needed. Can anyone tell me how often the clients receive this assistance? Is it daily with their own meals? I’ll be calling the Council on Aging to see how we can donate.
How wonderful! This is the best news yet for the elderly. I know they were sharing their lunch with their pet, I have that habit too and no, it’s not good for the human or the animal. I will be smiling all day after reading this good news.