MOWEC receives $2,500 from Meals on Wheels America for client pet support program

Program designed to keep Erath seniors and their pets together

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Stephenville (June 28, 2016) – Knowing that seniors with pets are 36% less likely to report loneliness and have 21% fewer doctor visits, Meals on Wheels of Erath County (MOWEC) is proud to announce that it has received a $2,500 grant from Meals on Wheels America for a client pet support program. Funding will be used to provide food, supplies and care for MOWEC clients with pets – all of which can be financially and physically burdensome.

“We started this program a year ago after we discovered that many of our pet-owning clients were sharing their food with their pets,” said MOWEC Executive Director Whitney Lee. “Since then we’ve also partnered with Pets are Worth Saving to deliver pet food twice a month to 25 clients and their pets.”

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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 (BCT), who in October of 2015, handed over all funding and grants administration responsibilities for their popular Pet Assistance Grant Program to Meals on Wheels America. To date, the grant program has distributed more than $2.1 million in funding and pet food donations to over 300 local 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.”

In addition to helping with pet food costs, MOWEC and PAWS held the first in-home vaccine clinic for qualified clients through the financial assistance of the grant.

To learn more about MOWEC and how you can help local seniors, call (254) 965-3510 or visit www.erathmow.org.

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