First-in-Wisconsin program joins nationwide effort to reduce senior hunger
(Madison)–This month Dane County residents who participate in Independent Living Inc.’s Evening Meals on Wheels program will begin receiving free pet food for their animal companions.
The program, “Kibble on Wheels,” is a partnership of Independent Living Inc., Mounds Pet Food Warehouse and the Dane County Humane Society. The program responds to the growing nationwide problem of older adults sharing their own meals with their pets and the difficulty seniors may experience in shopping for food for their animal friends.
Research indicates that companion animals provide many health benefits and contribute to the well-being of their owners. But difficulty in obtaining food for their animals can result in these vulnerable seniors sharing their home delivered meal. Independent Living, Dane County Human Society and Mounds Pet Food Warehouse have partnered to bring better nutrition to both human and animal. Sharing is detrimental to the adult, whose meals are nutritionally appropriate for them but may be harmful to their cat or dog.
“In Dane County senior hunger is a serious problem that meal sharing exacerbates. The Kibble on Wheels partnership will significantly reduce the practice for those who receive Evening Meals on Wheels,” said ILI CEO Rita Giovannoni.
Each night ILI serves more than 200 meals to frail, disabled and homebound older adults in Dane County. ILI volunteers contacted Evening MOW recipients, identified pet owners and gathered details about their companion animals in order to make sure size, current diet and special needs of the animals were considered. Mounds, which contributes tons of food each year to DCHS, will donate food each month to Evening Meals on Wheels recipients. Food will be delivered by Independent Living volunteers.
“Mounds is dedicated to community service. Through this program we have the opportunity to promote better health for our older adults through enhancing the health of their companion animals. It’s a win-win all around,” said Mounds Sales Manager Connie Petrick.
“Our involvement in the Kibble on Wheels program is another example of how the Dane County Humane Society contributes to the quality of life and well-being of not just animals but the people who live in our community as well,” said DCHS Executive Director Pam McCloud Smith.
For more information about Kibble on Wheels and to volunteer or donate to the program, call Patricia Eldred at 274-7900.
