Senior Citizens Inc. is proud to announce that it has received a $2,500 grant from Meals on Wheels America to help fund its pet support program. Funding will be used to provide veterinary care, such as spaying, neutering, and flea control for the pets of SCI’s Meals on Wheels clients.

According to SCI President, Patti Lyons, SCI began providing pet food for Meals on Wheels clients several years ago.  “We started our pet program when we noticed some of our clients sharing their meals with their pet, which isn’t good for either one of them,” said Lyons. “We are grateful for this grant and the opportunity it provides for expanding our pet program to include some of the normal veterinary services. For many of our homebound Meals on Wheels clients, obtaining something as simple as flea medicine can be both financially and physically challenging,” Lyons explained. SCI anticipates providing approximately 25 of their Meals on Wheels clients with veterinary assistance as a result of this grant.  

In total, Meals on Wheels America has granted over $200,000 to nearly 100 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 $2.4 million in funding and pet food donations.

“While pets are invaluable companions to homebound seniors, positively impacting their health and well-being, they can also be a challenge to care for alone,” said Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander. “The Meals on Wheels Loves Pets program enables SCI to ease some of that burden and make it possible for local seniors and their beloved pets to stay together.”