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SOUTHERN MAINE AGENCY ON AGING RECEIVES $2,200 FROM MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA TO SUPPORT CLIENTS AND THEIR PETS

Much Needed Funding Helps Keep Southern Maine Seniors and Their Pets Together

JULY 24, 2018 (Scarborough, ME) – Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA) is proud to announce that it has received a $2,200 grant from Meals on Wheels America to support The Best Friend Fund at SMAA. The Best Friend Fund helps to subsidize veterinary and other pet-related costs for low-income seniors who normally could not afford it. Funds are often used to help pay for vaccinations, dental work, or other pet-related emergency expenses. In the past year, SMAA has served 17 seniors and their pets through the program.

“Research has documented that pets have a positive impact on isolated older adults. The Best Friend Fund is a wonderful resource to help maintain those valuable relationships. We are grateful for Meals on Wheels America’s support of this project.” said SMAA Chief Executive Officer, Laurence Gross.

In total, Meals on Wheels America has granted over $200,000 to nearly 100 local Meals on Wheels programs through the Meals on Wheels Loves Pets initiative this year. Funding is made possible in part through a donation from the former Banfield Charitable Trust. To date, the grant program has distributed more than $2.4 million in funding and pet food donations.

“While pets are invaluable companions to homebound seniors, positively impacting their health and well-being, they can also be a challenge to care for alone,” said Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander. “The Meals on Wheels Loves Pets program enables Southern Maine Agency on Aging to provide pet food and other necessary services to ease some of that burden and make it possible for local seniors and their beloved pets to stay together.”

ABOUT SOUTHERN MAINE AGENCY ON AGING (SMAA)
Since 1973, the Southern Maine Agency on Aging has provided residents of York and Cumberland counties with resources and assistance to address the issues and concerns of aging.  The Agency serves people ages 60 and older, family caregivers, and people under 60 with a disability.  Agency services are devoted to fulfilling its mission to improve the quality of life for older adults, adults with disabilities, and the people who care for them. For more information, visit www.smaaa.org.

ABOUT MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA (MOWA)
Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger. This network serves virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million staff and volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership, education, research and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.