Senior Meals Program Gets $75K Walmart Grant

Submitted by Sheryl Sweet, St. Joseph Community Services, Inc., Merrimack

A grant of $75,000 from the Walmart Foundation to the New Hampshire Coalition of Aging Services (NHCAS) will assist in providing 33,750 meals to isolated seniors in six New Hampshire counties through the Meals on Wheels programs provided by its member agencies.  Contributions like this one are essential as government funding does not cover the full cost of a meal and requires substantial fundraising on the part of the agencies that run these programs.

NHCAS is a collaboration among five non-profit agencies that are dedicated to improving the lives of older and disabled adults in New Hampshire. Their Meals On Wheels programs deliver hot meals and perform daily safety checks that help isolated seniors and people with disabilities remain in their homes. 

The grant is part of the foundation’s “Fighting Hunger Together” initiative that leverages Walmart's size and resources to provide nutritious food and Walmart Foundation's ability to grant funding to nonprofits that help elevate the issue.

NHCAS members offer services over six counties: Belknap, Carroll, Coos, Grafton, Hillsborough and Merrimack. This service area includes more than 50% of the state's population. Last year, coalition agencies served over 800,000 Meals on Wheels to more than 5,000 New Hampshire residents. NHCAS members are the Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Grafton County Senior Citizens Council, Ossipee Concerned Citizens, St. Joseph Community Services and Tri-County Community Action Program.

Pam Jolivette, Program Director of Elder Services, Community Action Program Belknap - Merrimack Counties, Inc. said, “We are extremely excited and grateful to the Walmart Foundation for this timely grant award!  Local seniors will benefit from their generosity as we work together to make sure that no senior has to go hungry!”

NHCAS Member agencies share the long-term vision of a community where older and disabled adults are able to live independently, are treated with respect and dignity and have access to resources to meet fundamental needs.