MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA REWARDS LOCAL PROGRAMS FOR EVENT SUCCESS
Arlington, VA, March 23, 2016 – Meals on Wheels America today announces that the 2015-2016 Subaru Share the Love Event has brought Subaru of America’s total contribution to the national organization supporting and representing local Meals on Wheels providers to more than $10 million. During the event held from November 19, 2015 through January 2, 2016, $250 was donated to a customer’s choice of a national or hometown charity for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased. Meals on Wheels America has been a participating national charity since the event’s inception.
“Over the last eight years, Subaru and its local retailers have truly become an extension of the Meals on Wheels family, and their impact is felt long after this popular year-end event concludes,” said Ellie Hollander, Meals on Wheels America President and CEO. “Subaru’s continued investment in the Meals on Wheels movement helps communities across the country deliver more nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks to our most vulnerable seniors.”
As part of Meals on Wheels America’s receipt of the Subaru funding from the 2015-2016 event, $298,500 in Share the Love grants have been awarded to 139 local Meals on Wheels America members that raised awareness and/or actively partnered with local Subaru retailers throughout the campaign. Three local Meals on Wheels programs were awarded a top grant award of $20,000 for their exemplary contributions to the overall success of the Share the Love Event. They are:
- Corning Meals on Wheels Inc. – Corning, NY
- The Heritage Area Agency on Aging – Cedar Rapids, IA
- Meals-On-Wheels Greater San Diego – San Diego, CA
The funds from the 2015-2016 Share the Love Event will continue to benefit local Meals on Wheels programs throughout the year through additional grant opportunities, Annual Conference scholarships and by currently sponsoring the organization’s March for Meals annual awareness campaign.
“The Subaru Share the Love Event is all about supporting the causes closest to our drivers, our retailers and our employees while also making a difference in our local communities,” said Brian Cavallucci, National Advertising Manager at Subaru of America. “We are proud to have contributed more than $10 million to Meals on Wheels America over the past eight years and support their efforts to provide meals and help to those who need it most.”
In addition to the funding that was donated directly to Meals on Wheels America from Subaru of America, this year more than $300,000 in funding went directly to local Meals on Wheels programs that local Subaru retailers selected as one of their Hometown Charities.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 620 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com.
About Meals on Wheels America
Meals on Wheels America is the oldest and largest national organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger. This network exists in virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million staff and volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership, education, research and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.