FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Marley Rave
Assistant VP of Communications and Marketing
MOWAA
(703) 548-5558
cell: (412) 867-9245
Marley@mowaa.org Meals On Wheels Programs in 40 States awarded “MOWAA/Wal-Mart Foundation Cure Grants” to Cure the Disease of Senior Hunger March 12, 2009, Alexandria, VA – With a $750,000 donation from the Wal-Mart Foundation, the Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) has awarded special grants to 80 local Meals On Wheels programs in 40 states to assist them in providing meals to homebound seniors. The "MOWAA/Wal-Mart Foundation Cure Grant Program," as the partnership is called, comes at a crucial time, as Meals On Wheels programs across the country are facing serious financial difficulties due to increased gasoline and food prices, a drop in donations as a result of the economic downturn, and growing demand for services. The local Meals On Wheels programs, which were selected through a competitive grant process, were awarded grants of up to $10,000 to restore their nutrition services and help cure the disease of senior hunger that is plaguing America today. "With the Wal-Mart Foundation’s support, MOWAA is able to provide the financial assistance that our local meal programs need to provide nutritious meals to seniors who would have otherwise gone hungry. We are grateful for this partnership, which has provided critical funding for this essential service at a time when programs are facing financial hardship,” said Enid Borden, president and CEO of MOWAA. "By stepping up to the plate and joining us in our fight to end senior hunger, the Wal-Mart Foundation has literally helped us save lives across America. It is as simple as that." “We are committed to doing what we can to address basic, unmet needs – especially during the difficult economic times. Our partnership with MOWAA is critical in our efforts to help assure that families have nutritious meals on their tables,” said Margaret McKenna, Wal-Mart Foundation president. “We know that there is an increased burden on neighborhood food pantries and soup kitchens, and are working with MOWAA and other organizations to provide relief to communities throughout the country.”
View list of MOWAA/Wal-Mart Cure Grant Winners:
http://www.mowaa.org/Document.Doc?id=99 View U.S. Map of MOWAA/Wal-Mart Cure Grant Winners:
http://www.mowaa.org/Document.Doc?id=98 The "MOWAA/Wal-Mart Foundation Cure Grant Program" is intended to increase the number of individuals served and reverse the reduction in meal services that has recently occurred in Meals On Wheels programs throughout the nation. About Meals On Wheels Association of America
The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is the oldest and largest national organization in the United States representing those programs that provide meals to people in need. To obtain more information about MOWAA or to locate a local Meals On Wheels program, visit the MOWAA website at www.mowaa.org. About Philanthropy at Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and the Wal-Mart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Wal-Mart Foundation supports initiatives focused on enhancing opportunities in education, job skills training, sustainability and health and wellness. In 2007, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and the Wal-Mart Foundation gave $296 million to communities across the United States. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Marley Sweeney
Director of Communications
MOWAA
(703) 548-5558
Marley@mowaa.org Meals On Wheels Programs Across the CountrySee Drastic Cuts in DonationsCorporate and Individual Giving at an All-Time LowOctober 14, 2008, Alexandria, VA – The state of the economy has left Meals On Wheels programs nationwide in a crisis situation, as their corporate and individual donations have significantly dropped in the past month. A recent poll conducted by Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) reported that 61% of Meals On Wheels programs in the U.S. are experiencing a decrease in corporate giving and 68% reported a decrease in individual donations. Without the financial support they desperately need from their donors, these local organizations are struggling to provide meals to the homebound seniors they regularly serve.
“People are not giving to us right now because the economy is hurting and that ultimately causes our seniors to go hungry,” said Enid Borden, President and CEO of MOWAA. “I have been in this business for 16 years and I have never seen it this bad.”
Not only are Meals On Wheels programs challenged with the loss of donors, but they are also faced with the increase in food prices. 82% of Meals On Wheels programs reported having been hurt by the rise in the cost of food and more than half of the programs believe they will have to cut back on the number of meals they deliver to their senior clients.
“We are asking corporate America and our fellow Americans to step up to the plate,” said Borden. “We need your help so that we can save our seniors.”
The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is the oldest and largest national organization in the United States representing those programs that provide meals to people in need. To obtain more information about MOWAA or to locate a local Meals On Wheels program, visit the MOWAA website at www.mowaa.org.
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