ARLINGTON, VA – July 24, 2020 – In less than four months since establishing the Meals on Wheels COVID-19 Response Fund to meet the increased demand for services, Meals on Wheels America announced today it has distributed more than $25 million in emergency funding to local senior nutrition providers actively responding to the evolving COVID-19 crisis across the country.
“With all Americans being urged to remain at home, we are experiencing a new wave of homebound seniors who may not know from where their next meal will come,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO, Meals on Wheels America. “Local Meals on Wheels programs are uniquely positioned to reach these at-risk individuals and are working tirelessly to adapt to the rapidly evolving situation, deliver meals safely and respond to an unprecedented increase in need.”
Meals on Wheels America, the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger, has seen an outpouring of support from corporations, foundations and individuals, and continues to raise much-needed funding during this uncertain time. Funds raised are being distributed on a rolling basis to Members of Meals on Wheels America through a need-based grant program. To date, nearly 600 local providers have each been awarded up to $100,000. Grants will continue to be awarded as long as funds remain.
Donated funds will be used to replenish food and supplies, subsidize additional transportation and personnel costs, enable tech-based efforts to check in on isolated seniors, facilitate in-kind and other product distribution efforts with national vendors to help the hardest-hit communities and support timely distribution information needed to ensure safe care for all.
Donate or learn more about the Meals on Wheels COVID-19 Response Fund at
www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/covid19. A list of our top corporate and foundation contributors can be found
here. To support your community or affected communities directly, use the senior nutrition program locator at
www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/findmeals.