Senior Resources of Guilford today announced that it has received $9,000 from Meals on Wheels America, the national leadership organization supporting community-based programs across the U.S. dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger, to help bridge gaps in the availability of essential nutrition services in the Guilford County area. Senior Resources of Guilford provides home delivered meals in every zip code of our county to our senior neighbors in need of nutritional support. Senior Resources of Guilford was awarded a Meals on Wheels America Meeting Unmet Need Grant to deliver and expand nutrition options in our community, with the goal of serving the nutritional needs of underserved or unserved seniors. The funding will provide approximately 1260 nutritionally balanced meals to local Meals on Wheels clients and will also underwrite the cost to purchase video recording equipment that will be used to promote the program by sharing client testimonials, allowing for the community to hear directly from our participants on the value of the program and the impact it makes on their lives as they continue to focus on living independently.
Ellen Whitlock, Senior Resources' CEO, said "Senior Resources of Guilford is deeply grateful to Meals on Wheels America and Food Lion Feeds for choosing our organization to benefit from the 2023 Unmet Needs Grant process that was conducted across the country. The confidence that these two organizations have demonstrated in our agency through their funding speaks volumes about the difference our Meals on Wheels program is making in the lives of our senior neighbors and their families. Prior to COVID the agency was delivering 350 meals a day to our homebound clients and post COVID we are now delivering 450 a day with a lengthy waiting list from additional senior neighbors in need of nutritional support. Many of our clients tell us that it is the availability of the meal and the wellness check by our volunteers that allow them to maintain their independent living. Thanks to over 1000 volunteers a year that deliver meals we know that Meals on Wheels is more than just a meal but frequently the component that reduces these seniors’ isolation and reduces their depression. We are looking forward to developing the stories of our seniors by utilizing the video equipment which this funding will support in an effort to share with others the difference our program makes in their lives. Nothing tells a story better than a picture and thanks to this grant we will be able to make our story stronger. We are grateful for community partners like Food Lion who supports our efforts and allows us to make a difference for those older adults who call Guilford County home.”
Senior Resources of Guilford serves a diverse community of seniors and their families by advocating and providing supportive services that enhance the independence, health, and quality of life of seniors. Senior Resources of Guilford accomplishes its goals through the provision of a wide array of services and supports including Meals on Wheels, Community Nutrition, a Restaurant Voucher Program, the Evergreens Lifestyle Center, Senior Wheels, SeniorLine Information and Referral, Case Assistance and Options Counseling, the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program, Refugee Outreach, Rural Outreach, Foster Grandparents, Family Caregiver Support, and the Geriatric/Adult Mental Health Specialty Team. These services enable older adults throughout Guilford County to maintain their independence for as long as they are able or choose to do so. The agency provides assistance to over 10,000 seniors and their families yearly.
The Meals on Wheels program is committed to providing the senior community with the services they need to remain independent and healthy. Delivering 450 meals each day, the meal delivery from one of our 1000 volunteers also serves as a wellness check and helps address the social isolation many clients feel. This donation from Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation through Meals on Wheels America will allow Senior Resources of Guilford to continue to fulfill the increased volume of meal deliveries and provide an environment to sustain the increase in demand.
“Given the growth in the older adult population, coupled with the impacts of the pandemic, inflation and other factors, it is vital that we invest in Meals on Wheels programs’ ability to expand services and reach all those in need,” said Ellie Hollander, Meals on Wheels America President, and CEO. “We believe that no one knows better what these communities need than the boots on the ground staff and volunteers delivering Meals on Wheels service to their older adult neighbors every day, and we’re proud to support their efforts with these grants.”
In total, $1.2 million in grants were awarded to 56 local Meals on Wheels programs as part of the Meals on Wheels America Meeting Unmet Need grant program. Funding for Senior Resources of Guilford’s grant was made possible by Food Lion Feeds, a Meals on Wheels America national partner. Food Lion Feeds is committed to fighting senior hunger and making a meaningful difference in nourishing homebound seniors.
About Meals on Wheels America
Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger. This network serves virtually every community in America and, along with an estimated 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.
About Food Lion
Food Lion is an omnichannel retailer committed to nourishing its neighbors during the moments that matter most. More than 82,000 associates across 1,100+ stores deliver an easy, fresh, and affordable shopping experience throughout 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. Through its ‘Count on me’ culture, Food Lion fosters a sense of belonging for all associates, promoting a diverse and inclusive environment that has supported LGBTQ+ equality for nearly two decades. Food Lion is the only company in the country to be named an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for 22 consecutive years. It also pioneered a food rescue program to support food-insecure neighbors. Through Food Lion Feeds, the retailer has donated more than 1 billion meals to individuals and families since 2014 and has committed to donate 1.5 billion meals by 2025. Founded and based in Salisbury, N.C., since 1957, Food Lion is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA, the U.S. division of Zaandam-based Ahold Delhaize. For more information, visit foodlion.com