Home > Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County Receives Great Grant
Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County Receives Great Grant
There are home-bound elderly in Oklahoma County at risk of going hungry due to lack of transportation, inability to prepare meals and a limited income. Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County has been helping these seniors since 1971 through volunteers at area churches and nonprofit organizations who cook and deliver warm meals each week. Thanks to a recent Great Grant to 68 churches who participate in the Mobile Meals program, this vital service will continue to help seniors in need.
Mobile Meals of Oklahoma County serves nearly 1,000 seniors annually through more than 80 charitable organizations, and in 2008 delivered 132,000 meals throughout Oklahoma County. “Often the food we deliver will be the only meal they receive that day,” says Carolyn Rosnick, Mobile Meals project coordinator.
Thanks to a recent Field of Interest grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, churches participating in the Mobile Meals programs received financial assistance to help offset the cost of food and transportation. “We have no paid people, just people who simply want to help in any way they can,” says Mary S., Mobile Meals volunteer. “We serve hot lunches to 35 people each week, and in some cases, it has allowed them to remain in their homes longer.”
The Mobile Meals program relies on the help of volunteers such as Bonnie Hefner, who began helping at her church by preparing meals and delivering them to the elderly more than 40 years ago. Today her daughters Vici Heitzke and Brenda Baldwin are following in Bonnie’s footsteps and delivering meals to area seniors. Since 1998, the Hefner family, including Bonnie’s son Richard, has recommended grants to Mobile Meals and other charitable interests through the Raymond H. and Bonnie B. Hefner Family Affiliated Fund.
By creating a Field of Interest Fund, a donor can support a specific charitable interest such as assisting the elderly who rely upon the Mobile Meals program. If you are interested in learning more about Field of Interest Funds or other charitable fund options, contact Jennifer Stewart at j.stewart@occf.org or 405/606-2912.
