Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens has received a $25,000 grant from Meals on Wheels America and The Home Depot Foundation through their joint initiative, Helping Homebound Heroes – a program that provides home repairs and modifications for veterans. The funding will support AASC’s efforts to ensure that veteran clients have safe and accessible homes.
“We are pleased to be part of this generous grant,” said AASC’s CEO Brian Beck. “It will make a profound impact on our veteran neighbors, whose courageous service to our nation deserves our respect and gratitude. It is an honor to now help them live safely in their homes.”
Since the partnership with Meals on Wheels America began in 2015, The Home Depot Foundation has contributed nearly $19 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 improvement projects, from converting showers and adding grab bars for bathroom accessibility, to repairing railings and constructing wheelchair ramps. Ninety-one percent of clients responding to follow-up surveys reported that the home modification and repair services provided made them feel safer in their homes and 99 percent reported that the services helped them to continue living independently in their homes.
“Veterans who have given so much to us and our country deserve the opportunity to live more safely and independently in the comfort of their own homes,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO, Meals on Wheels America. “We are extremely grateful for The Home Depot Foundation’s long-standing commitment that helps local Meals on Wheels programs like Appalachian Agency provide more than just a meal to those in need.”
Meals on Wheels America is now entering its 10th year of the Helping Homebound Heroes program and has served nearly 3,000 veterans, with a continued goal to serve even more aging veterans nationwide. This year the program is expanding to 19 Meals on Wheels organizations in 13 states across the country.
If you’re a veteran, or know a veteran, who needs home repairs, call Appalachian Agency at 276-964-4915.