Knowing that seniors with pets are 36% less likely to report loneliness and have 21% fewer doctor visits, Senior Citizens Inc. is proud to announce that it has received a $2,500 grant from Meals on Wheels America to help fund its client pet support  program. Funding will be used to provide food, supplies and care for Meals on Wheels clients with pets – all of which can be financially and physically burdensome.

“We began noticing that some of our clients were sharing their meal with their pet, which isn’t good for either one of them,” said Patti Lyons, President of Senior Citizens. “We started our Pet Program a couple of years ago and it has been very successful. Using donations of cat and dog food and volunteers, the program serves about 100 low-income clients and their pets in Savannah. This grant will allow us to expand that program to include all of the Coastal Empire and provide flea medicine as well.”

The Pet Program depends on donations of dry cat and dog food. Donations can be dropped off at SCI’s building (3025 Bull Street), Tail Spin (4501 Habersham Street) or the Humane Society (7215 Sallie Mood Drive.)

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, 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.”