Owensboro Health is receiving a $25,000 grant from the Truist Charitable Fund to provide meals for senior citizens in the Daviess County community.
Truist, formerly known as BB&T, pledged $25 million in philanthropic giving in response to COVID-19. The fund emphasizes the needs of youth, seniors and small businesses with the goal of restoring and supporting thriving communities.
The money OH receives will support seniors in Daviess County by addressing food insecurity.
Seniors have been advised to stay at home and avoid public gatherings, which led Daviess County Senior Services to pause its weekday congregate meals program. The organization is instead supplementing seniors’ meals by preparing frozen to-go meals for individuals above the age of 65.
In partnership with OH and dining services provider Morrisons Healthcare, frozen meals had been provided to Meals on Wheels participants for the weekends using uneaten, unprepared food from OH facilities.
However, the demand for meals has increased dramatically, according to Senior Center Director Dana Peveler. When combined with visitor restrictions in place at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital and a significant reduction in meal preparation at all OH facilities, it created dire need for additional food.
The Owensboro Health Foundation is addressing that need by utilizing funds from the Truist grant to support the senior center’s meal provisions. Grant funds should allow the feeding program to run uninterrupted for at least the next 8 weeks..
Funds will also be used to purchase and supply personal hygiene supplies and basic medical supply items to help ensure seniors remain healthy at home. Puzzles, books and art supplies will also be provided to seniors to help ensure their mental stimulation during what could be a time of isolation.
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