MEALS ON WHEELS RECEIVES HELP FOR CLIENTS WITH PETS

Since 1954, The Meals on Wheels program has provided many communities with a way to help their elderly and disabled. There are more than 4,000 Meals on Wheels programs across the USA. Charlie Daniels of the Carson City, NV program says they provide 130-150 meals a day. Carson City has a population of over 55,000. Programs around the country are experiencing shortages of volunteer drivers and many have waiting lists of needy clients. As Baby Boomers turn 65 the need for more Meals on Wheels programs will only increase. Another problem is looming, 63% of American households have at least one pet. Meals on Wheels volunteers are seeing more and more people giving a portion of their meal to their pets. A new organization, Feeding Pets of the Homeless©, founded by Genevieve Frederick may be an answer to assist Meals on Wheels clients to provide proper pet nutrition. Local veterinary clinics/hospitals and pet related businesses are collecting pet food and partnering with Meals on Wheels and other food bank organizations. When volunteers evaluate a client they can ask if they need pet food also. Daniels reported that his volunteers can provide pet food to his clients because the Sierra Veterinary Hospital provides him pet food through the Feeding Pets of the Homeless© program.

Feeding Pets of the Homeless© was started less than a year ago. Frederick, publisher, founder and author explains “The program’s name may be misleading because the pet food collected by the members is being distributed to, not only the homeless but to families at poverty level, the disabled and elderly across the nation through a variety of local organizations.

All Meals on Wheels programs would like to provide the best services they possibly can to their clients and they can by providing pet food to those who need it. The Meals on Wheels in Dayton, a neighboring community to Carson City, has indicated that they would like to partner with a local vet or pet related business that is part of the Feeding Pets of the Homeless© program, because pets provide such comfort and love to their clients. Frederick said, “I know there are more Meals on Wheels programs that would like to offer pet food to their clients in other communities.” Frederick went on to say “If you are a client of the Wheels on Meals program and have a pet, ask your volunteer if they can provide pet food along with your meal. If you want to help the pets of the homeless, the elderly and the disadvantaged in your community, talk with your veterinarian, groomer, trainer, or pet supply store owner about the Feeding Pets of the Homeless©. They will thank you and you will be giving back to your community in a way that will enhance the life of a pet and their owner.”

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Feeding Pets of the Homeless©
www.petsofhomeless.com
Paw Publishing
2255 Waterford Place
Carson City, NV 89703
(775) 841-7463
publisher@pawpublishing.com

Sources:
Meals on Wheels Association of America
2007-2008 APPMA National Pet Owners Survey