Grant provides Thanksgiving meals to seniors

A $1,000 grant from Subaru of America, Inc. and Meals on Wheels Association of America will help the Faulkner County Senior Citizen program provide 365 meals to seniors on the day before Thanksgiving. The grant is a part of Subaru’s “Share the Love” campaign.

Debra Robinson, executive director of the senior citizen’s program, said the senior program is a part of the Meals on the Wheels Association of America giving it access to grants provided by companies such as Subaru. Robinson said the money is offered to member organizations. 

“We apply for the grants,” she said, noting that last year the organization also received a $9,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation.

The Subaru grant will allow senior center employees to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner for their meal recipients the day before Thanksgiving. The meal will feature traditional turkey, dressing and the trimmings. 

“This is the season of giving and we are so thankful that Subaru has decided to give so generously to our program to help us deliver meals to our clients for the holidays,” Robinson said. “This grant is truly a gift.”

Enid Borden, president and CEO of the Meals on Wheels Association of America, said that the economy is affecting the ability of many senior programs to provide meals.

“Many of our Meals On Wheels programs across the country are struggling to provide meals in this down economy. We can’t thank Subaru enough for understanding that their support will help us provide the next meal ‘so no senior goes hungry,” Borden said.

The “Share the Love” campaign, a mission by Subaru to give back to charities, will run from Saturday to Jan. 4, 2010. 

Up next for the Faulkner County Senior Center is Pancake Breakfast set for Dec. 5.