Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston is calling on UH students and student organizations for volunteers as it hosts the second annual AniMeals pet food drive.
Volunteers can help feed furry friends by unloading the supplies from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday at Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, located at 3217 Montrose Blvd.
AniMeals on Wheels was enacted because the Meals on Wheels drivers noticed some of the seniors who are a part of the program were sharing their home-delivered meals with their pets.
Meals on Wheels communications manager Lady Oliver said this year’s drive comes at the right time because their supply of pet food is getting low.
‘Some seniors also have to make the difficult choice of feeding their pet, purchasing medications or feeding themselves.’ AniMeals on Wheels helps to alleviate those tough choices seniors have to make,’ Oliver said.
If nothing is done, Meals on Wheels of Greater Houston will be unable to give food to the pets of over 200 seniors.
‘We also have a waiting list of approximately 100 seniors who have pets that need pet food. We would like to be able to help them as well,’ Oliver said.
Meals on Wheels of Greater Houston brings lunch to more than 3,600 of Houston’s homebound senior citizens each weekday, as well as breakfast and weekend meals for about 400 seniors.
It also shuttles 25-pound boxes of shelf-stable food to an additional 1,750 recipients and brings a month’s worth of pet food to close to 250 seniors.
‘In these stark economic times, many are wondering how they are going to pay their bills. Houston’s senior citizens struggle even more,’ Oliver said. ‘Many are more than hungry; they are living alone.’
‘Interfaith Ministries staff and volunteers deliver more than a meal; they provide friendship. Meals On Wheels Greater Houston should actually be called Meals and Hugs,” Oliver said.
Those who want to volunteer can call Interfaith Ministries at (713) 533-4900.
