Meals on Wheels America announces that The Home Depot Foundation has committed $2.53 million to support expansion of Helping Homebound Heroes, a program that provides home repairs and modifications for aging veterans. This increase in funding will enable Helping Homebound Heroes to double its geographic reach, from eight to 16 markets across the country.
“We are thrilled to be participating in the Helping Homebound Heroes program, as the first such grant recipient in Massachusetts. We are also honored to be expressly supporting our veteran neighbors, by seeking to reduce risks, increase functional access, and improve their safety and satisfaction in aging at home,” said Mark Devlin, Home Safety Program Director for LifePath. “We want to thank both Meals on Wheels America and The Home Depot Foundation for supporting our Home Safety program through this $25,000 grant.”
Since the partnership began in 2015, The Home Depot Foundation has contributed more than $16 million and countless volunteer hours from Team Depot – The Home Depot’s associate volunteer force – to work alongside community-based Meals on Wheels programs on a wide range of home repair projects, from converting showers and adding grab bars for bathroom accessibility, to repairing railings and constructing wheelchair ramps.
“With more than nine million veteran homeowners over the age of 55, there is a growing need for critical home repairs and modifications, which have proven positive effects on health and quality of life,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO, Meals on Wheels America. “Thanks to The Home Depot Foundation’s increased support, more Meals on Wheels programs are able to help military veterans live more safely and independently in the comfort of their homes. We are so grateful for the Foundation’s long-standing commitment.”
Meals on Wheels America is now entering its ninth year of the Helping Homebound Heroes program and has served more than 2,000 veterans, with a continued goal to serve even more aging veterans nationwide. The Helping Homebound Heroes program is funded by The Home Depot Foundation as part of its mission to improve the homes and lives of our nation’s veterans.
About LifePath
LifePath, an Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and Aging Services Access Point (ASAP), is a private, nonprofit corporation that provides a wide range of programs and services to support the independent living of elders and persons with disabilities. We also offer support and resources to caregivers, including grandparents raising grandchildren, to assist in their efforts to care for their loved ones. We have been providing family and caregiver support and community-based services for elders and for persons with disabilities living in our service area since 1974.
About Meals on Wheels America
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. Powered by a dedicated volunteer workforce, this network 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 the Meals on Wheels America website. Press Contact: press@mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
About the Home Depot Foundation
The Home Depot Foundation works to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans, train skilled tradespeople to fill the labor gap and support communities impacted by natural disasters. Since 2011, the Foundation has invested more than $350 million in veteran causes and improved more than 48,000 veteran homes and facilities in 4,500 cities. The Foundation has pledged to invest half of a billion dollars in veteran causes by 2025.
To learn more about The Home Depot Foundation, visit our website and follow us on Twitter @HomeDepotFound and on Facebook + Instagram @HomeDepotFoundation.
