Oklahoma City Community Foundation Awards Grants to Seven Christian Churches
The Oklahoma City Community Foundation is providing warm meals to homebound elderly citizens this winter through $65,400 in grants to Mobile Meals programs, including seven Christian churches. Grants were awarded to Edmond Mobile Meals, Meals on Wheels of Norman, Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County and 54 churches that prepare and deliver meals.
Since 2008, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation’s support of Mobile Meals programs in central Oklahoma has grown, awarding nearly $325,000 in the past decade. As the aging population continues to grow, the need for elderly support from Mobile Meals programs also increases, making the nearly 60 percent in increased support from the Community Foundation this year all the more valuable.
“We have had a rough couple of years between the state budget crisis and churches closing, which has really limited our ability to serve this vulnerable population,” said Allen Johnson project director at Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County. “The grants from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation came through at the best possible time allowing the churches to expand their services so they can serve as many people as possible.”
By providing caring, personal contact and nourishing meals, hardworking volunteers at churches and other organizations help Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County serve more than 1,000 metropolitan area seniors age 60 and older who are unable to prepare their own food. Edmond Mobile Meals provides more than 1,000 meals per week and the Norman Meals on Wheels program serves more than 300 clients a day.
“Mobile Meals provides a lifeline to homebound elderly allowing them to remain independent and in their homes when options are limited,” said Nancy B. Anthony, Oklahoma City Community Foundation President. “This year, thanks to generous contributions from an anonymous donor, we were able to increase our support of this vital program.”
Grants were awarded to the following Christian churches that provide meals through Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County:
- Crown Heights Christian Church
- First Christian Church OKC
- Hillcrest Christian Church
- New Covenant Christian Church
- Nicoma Park Christian Church
- Putnam City Christian Church
- Western Oaks Christian Church
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.
