November 11, 2008

Meals On Wheels, Banfield & Petsmart Accepting Food for Seniors' Pets

For many seniors living alone having a pet is a great comfort. But rising prices are forcing some seniors to make tough choices between feeding their pets and feeding themselves. In an effort to help seniors feed their pets, the Meals On Wheels program is once again joining forces with Petsmart and Banfield, The Pet Hospital to collect dog and cat food through the Season of Suppers™.

A recent survey of Meals On Wheels clients in Ada and Elmore counties revealed more than 80 seniors in need of some help feeding their furry friends. Donations of cat or dog food (wet or dry) can be dropped off at four locations through the end of the year:

• Central District Health Department – 707 N Armstrong Place, Boise
• Central District Health Department - 520 E 8th N, Mountain Home
• Banfield, The Pet Hospital, inside the Petsmart store at 1220 N Eagle Rd, Meridian
• The Petsmart store at 8501 W Franklin, Boise

Early next year volunteers will deliver the pet food to the seniors requesting help in feeding their companion animals.

According to Angela Spain, the Senior Nutrition Program Manager at the Central District Health Department, the meals delivered to homebound seniors provide a third of the calories and nutrition they need each day. “It would be a shame for seniors to be using those meals to feed their pets.” Spain said. “So, by helping these folks get food for their cats and dogs we’re keeping both seniors and their pets healthy and well-fed.”

Last year the Season of Suppers™ program collected 544 pounds of dry and wet dog food and 303 pounds of dry and wet cat food for a total of 847 pounds. Eighty-nine Meals On Wheels clients took advantage of the program last year.

Meals On Wheels provides about 600 seniors in Ada and Elmore county with daily hot, nutritious meals, and frozen meals for the weekends. For more information on Meals On Wheels and the Season of Suppers™ call 327-7460 or visit the Central District Health Department website.

Banfield, The Pet Hospital is located inside the Petsmart store at 1220 N Eagle Road, Meridian. Contact Banfield, The Pet Hospital at 208-898-8823. Additional information is available at Banfield's website.