Grants Help Provide Warm Meals to Homebound Elderly
Oklahoma City Community Foundation Awards Grants to Nine Christian Churches in Oklahoma County
(OKLAHOMA CITY) – The Trustees of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation recently awarded $34,100 in grants to 56 churches, including nine Christian churches, providing warm, fresh meals to homebound elderly residents through Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County. Grants were also awarded to Edmond Mobile Meals and Meals on Wheels of Norman for $3,000 each.
The Oklahoma City Community Foundation has supported Mobile Meals programs in central Oklahoma for eight consecutive years, awarding more than $259,000 since 2008. This year, the organization increased the amount of grants awarded for Mobile Meals programs by 10 percent. The grants come at a critical time for Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County. Earlier this year, the organization was in danger of closing following state budget cuts.
“The grants we have received from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation have been an absolute lifesaver for our program,” said Allen Johnson, project director for Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County. “The grants provided the sustenance to keep our program alive until other funding options were available, and they have allowed us to expand our reach of home-delivered meals over the last six months.”
Older adults often experience challenges such as limited income, travel and health limitations that contribute to their risk of going hungry. One out of every six Oklahoma seniors struggles with hunger, including 16,152 seniors in Oklahoma County. According to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, our state ranks among the top 10 in the nation with seniors who experience food insecurity. As the baby-boom generation continues to age, these statistics are predicted to increase.
Through the help of volunteers from churches and other organizations, Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County provides meals to more than 1,000 metropolitan area seniors age 60 and older who are unable to prepare their own food. Edmond Mobile Meals serves 1,000 meals per week and the Norman Meals on Wheels program serves more than 300 clients a day. The programs also provide seniors with consistent personal contact and inquiry on their well-being.
“Mobile Meals is a vital service for homebound elderly in our community and we truly appreciate the commitment from these churches and their congregations to support the program,” said Nancy B. Anthony, president of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation.
Grants were awarded to the following Christian churches that provide meals through Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County:
- Crown Heights Christian Church
- First Christian Church
- Forest Hill Christian Church
- Hillcrest Christian Church
- New Covenant Christian Church
- Nicoma Park Christian Church
- Putnam City Christian Church
- Western Oaks Christian Church
A complete list of churches that recently received grants can be found at occf.org/meals.
About the Oklahoma City Community Foundation:
Founded in 1969, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that works with donors to create charitable funds that will benefit our community both now and in the future. To learn more about the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, visit www.occf.org.
