Meals on Wheels Rowan has received a $2,500 grant from Meals on Wheels America for its pet support program. Funding will be used to provide food, supplies and care for pets of area clients. Caring for pets can often be a financial and physical challenge for clients to do on their own.

“Pet companions are important for homebound seniors. We know that if finances are tight, some of our meal recipients will give a portion of their meal to their pet companions because they do not have enough money to purchase pet food,” said Meals on Wheels Rowan Executive Director Cindy Fink. “Also, many of our homebound seniors have mobility issues or illness that prevents them from grocery shopping or lifting larger bags or multiple cans of pet food.”

“We want to encourage our homebound seniors to eat the nutritious meals that our volunteers deliver each Monday through Friday,” said Program Director Sandy Combs. “By providing food for their pets, we hope to reduce their anxiety and alleviate the need for our participants to share their meals with their animals.”

Meals on Wheels America has granted more than $100,000 to over 40 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 the former Banfield Charitable Trust. To date, the grant program has distributed more than $2.5 million in funding and pet food donations.

“We’re thrilled that support from the Meals on Wheels Loves Pets program will enable Meals on Wheels Rowan to provide pet food and other necessary services to local seniors. We hope to make it easier for our homebound seniors to remain healthy and enjoy the companionship of their beloved pets.” said Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander.

Meals on Wheels Rowan serves 230 participants daily.