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Meals On Wheels Atlanta Receives $75,000 from the Walmart Foundation to Assist with Meal Services Program

Donation Will Provide More Than 13,000 Meals For Hungry Seniors

 

Atlanta, Ga. – January 9, 2014 – Meals On Wheels Atlanta recently received a $75,000 contribution to assist with feeding Atlanta’s most needy seniors. The grant, which was given through the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program, will provide more than 13,000 meals for hungry seniors served through the organization.

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“Senior hunger is a serious issue for our community – with one in six older Georgians not knowing where their next meal is coming from,” said Jeff Smythe, executive director for Meals On Wheels Atlanta. “This funding provides critical support at a time when our organization has experienced a dramatic increase in demand for our meals. We currently have more than 150 seniors on our waiting list.”

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With the aging baby boomer generation, Meals On Wheels Atlanta has experienced an unprecedented surge in demand for meals and other services. While Georgia currently ranks ninth in the nation in senior hunger, the organization provides an important safety net for seniors in need.

 

Meals On Wheels Atlanta also offers nourishing meals to frail or homebound seniors who are unable to prepare or afford the nutrition they need due to extenuating circumstances such as a disability or extreme poverty. This year, the organization will deliver 120,000 meals to 500 individual seniors.

 

“Walmart is very excited to support Meals On Wheels Atlanta, and is committed to helping those in need in the communities where we serve,” said Glen Wilkins, senior manager of public affairs and government relations at Walmart. “Through this grant, Atlanta’s most needy seniors will be served and we will help address the growing demand for meals and services.”

 

Walmart awards grants to organizations that have a long-lasting, positive impact on communities across the country. Through this program, combined with other Walmart foundation programs and corporate grants, the company awarded more than $37 million to organizations in 2012.

 

In Georgia, a team of local associates determine needs within each state, review eligible grant applications and make funding recommendations to the Walmart Foundation. To be considered for support, prospective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program’s online grant application. Eligible applicants must have a current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in order to meet the program’s minimum funding criteria. Additional information about the program’s funding guidelines and application process are available online at http://foundation.walmart.com/apply-for-grants/state-giving.

 

About Philanthropy at Walmart

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committed to helping people live better through philanthropic efforts. By operating globally and giving back locally, Walmart is uniquely positioned to address the needs of the communities it serves and make a significant social impact within its core areas of giving: Hunger Relief & Healthy Eating, Sustainability, Career Opportunity and Women’s Economic Empowerment. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are leading the fight against hunger in the United States with a $2 billion commitment through 2015. Walmart has donated more than 1 billion meals to those in need across the country. To learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit www.foundation.walmart.com.

 

About Meals On Wheels Atlanta

Founded in 1965, Meals On Wheels Atlanta is a nonprofit organization that supports senior independence through meals, shelter, education and community. Through extensive programming, Meals On Wheels Atlanta delivers more than 110,000 meals annually, repairs hundreds of senior homes, manages seven neighborhood senior centers, provides community and wellness education, and helps seniors and their families manage Alzheimer's and dementia. Meals On Wheels Atlanta serves approximately 2,400 seniors annually. For more information on how to volunteer or donate to Meals On Wheels Atlanta, please visit www.mealsonwheelsatlanta.org or call (404) 351-3889. 

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