Meals on Wheels Atlanta gets $1 million donation
An anonymous donor has given Meals on Wheels Atlanta a lot of bread - to the tune of $1 million.
Kate Grinalds, senior director of development for the nonprofit, said the donors, an Atlanta couple, made the contribution in observance of the organization’s mission.
“This has been a transformative gift,” said Grinalds. “It’s the single, largest individual donation in our organization’s history.”
The donors, who have been involved with Meals on Wheels Atlanta for many years, wish to remain anonymous.
The donation is being made in installments and will be put toward the nonprofit’s operating budget. Grinalds said it will be used for meal production and to help whittle down the waiting list.
Meals on Wheels Atlanta has a waiting list of 350 seniors to receive meals.
“We’ve moved more than 100 seniors off our waiting list this year but we are continually getting new requests from seniors who need assistance. This tremendous demand is outpacing our growth.” she said.
It’s first year, the organization served 7,800 meals. Last year, it exceeded 160,000.
Meals On Wheels Atlanta also has other programs to aid seniors including home repair services and an Adult Day Health Center helping seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
It receives its funding from individual donations, special events, corporations, foundations and government agencies.
About the Author
Shelia has worked at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for more than 30 years. Previously, she worked at The Lexington Herald-Leader and The Louisville Defender. Her beat is a bit of a mixed bag that includes religion and spirituality, culture and trends, race and aging. She earned degrees from Spelman College and Northwestern University.
