Season For Caring 2011
Please help this Meals on Wheels and More family in great need through The Austin American Statesman’s holiday giving program:
- To help, please call Linda Perez 476-6325 x 116 or direct line: 628-8116 or email
- Our Family: Lloyd Jackson, Bertha Jackson and Kevon (grandson)
The gift Meals on Wheels client Lloyd Jackson craves most this holiday season is the same one he’s wanted every year for the past decade. And every year he’s gotten exactly what he wants – a good stable home life for his 11 year old great-grandson, Kevon Walton, whom Lloyd, and his wife, Bertha, have raised since the boy was a year old. Raising a child can be challenging even under the best of circumstances, but Lloyd and Bertha Jackson faces obstacles that many parents don’t. Read more.
The Jackson’s Wish List
Household Items - a chest of drawers, twin bed, queen mattress, small love seat, lift recliner, pillows, electric space heater, blankets, curtains for every room in the house.
Mr. Jackson – dress suits for church (jacket size 42, pants 38” waist/29” length), shirts (large), shoes (9 ½ D). Dallas Cowboy apparel
Kevon – pants (36” waist/ 29” length), shirts (large), shoes (8 ½). School supplies. Help pay for Pop Warner football fees. Xbox 360 sports-themed games (football, basketball, baseball). Favorite sports teams: New England Patriots, the New Orleans Saints, the Texas Longhorns, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers.
Mrs. Jackson – Church dresses (3X), house coats (3X), shoes (10), slippers
Home Repairs – fix flooring, kitchen sink and cabinets, build ramp, repair windows and screens, fix ceiling fans, convert tub to have shower capability, raise commode. Paint home white, with green trim.
To read more about the Jackson’s story visit our blog or go to the Statesman live site: Season For Caring 2011
Be A Santa To A Senior
This holiday season, Meals on Wheels and More is excited to collaborate with Home Instead Senior Care’s Be A Santa to a Senior to help fulfill our clients holdiay wish lists. Visit your local Walgreens to purchase gifts in store. At the store locations there are his and hers pre-packaged gift sets you may buy for $20 that incude some of our popular wish list items or alternatively, you can purchase personalized wishlists itemized by clients at the store locations. Gift cards are also welcomed. If you wish to make a contribution online, you may do so with the Home Instead Senior Care’s Be a Santa to a Senior Paypal account. Click here to visit that page. To find a participaing Walgreens store and more details go here: http://beasantatoasenior.com/
1. Where do I drop off gifts? Buy and put gifts in drop box at Walgreens or deliver your purchased items to Meals on Wheels and More central office is located at 3227 E 5th St, Austin 78702.
2. What are your business hours? M- FR 8-3:00
3. How much money do I put on a gift card? Any amount you wish to give; it’s up to you—on average cards are usually $20-$25.
4. What stores do I purchase gift cards from? Walgreens, HEB, or Walmart
5. Can I give money instead? You can donate year around to help your neighbors get nutritous food by clicking here or to contribute specifically to this holiday campaign visit Home Instead Senior Care’s Be A Santa to a Senior PayPal donation form.
6. What are toiletries? Personal hygiene items—shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, lotion, body soap, hand soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, razors, etc…
7. What comes in a gift set?
- Toilet paper
- Tooth paste
- Tooth Brush
- Bathing Mit
- Deodorant
- Shapoo/Conditioner (All in one)
- Socks with skid stoppers on bottom
- Shaving Cream/ Razor
8. Can I deliver gifts? If you are interested in delivering gifts, contact Client Services Representative Sandy Munoz. Volunteers new to MOWAM will be required to attend volunteer orientation.
Please provide new & unwrapped gifts. Contact us to fulfill wish lists.
Waiting List Updates
FAQ’s
When was the Waiting List created?
The Waiting List was created in June 2010.
Why was the Waiting List created?
The Waiting List was created in response to a dramatic increase in the need for our services among people in the Central Texas area. Without an increase in funding, we have been unable to address this increased need.
How many people are currently on the Waiting List?
217 individuals
How many months do people on the Waiting List typically wait before being moved onto services?
The average wait time is up to six months.
How will my financial contributions impact people on the Waiting List?
Increased financial support from individual donors will allow us to move people on to services more quickly and sustain services to existing clients.
Does Meals on Wheels and More provide any support to individuals on the Waiting List?
Yes. Our Client Services department routinely checks in via phone with individuals on the Waiting List to see if their situation has improved or worsened. We also actively make referrals to other social service agencies that might be able to provide interim assistance.
What is the procedure to release someone from the Waiting List?
As current meal recipients fall off of our programs due to attrition, we are able to open up spots for people on the Waiting List. When these spots open up, we send our Case Managers out to the client’s home to conduct a formal intake.
Stories from Our Clients
• “My father is permanently disabled due to complications from diabetes. He is not able to use his hands or his feet, and he has extreme pain constantly. He is unable to drive and without transportation assistance he is homebound. He is home alone all the time, and I worry constantly. He cannot “feel” his feet or his legs from the knees down and he has to walk with a cane for stability. He cannot feel from his elbows down on both arms. He cannot prepare meals for himself, and no one is around during the day to prepare his lunch. I have to work and cannot be there during the day. I try to leave food for him to make sandwiches or cans of soup, but he doesn’t feel like he can fix these things as he cuts himself in preparation or is unable to use his hands. Injuries actually happen to him a lot. Many days I ask what he had for lunch to find out he had toast, crackers, or nothing. As a diabetic, this is not good for him.”
• “I am disabled, live alone, and have difficulty with everyday tasks. I cannot cook or do household chores and rarely go grocery shopping due to chronic pain and physical limitations. I am very interested in your programs, especially the meals, Groceries-to-Go, PALS for my dog, and I may need rides to the doctor’s once in awhile.”
• “I am looking into help for my in-laws. My mother-in-law has Parkinson’s Disease and a horrible deteriorating bone disease. My father-in-law has been preparing the meals, but recently his health has also been deteriorating. We discovered that he has colon cancer, and currently he is in the hospital recovering from surgery. I don’t think that he will be able to prepare meals when he comes home, at least for a few weeks. Is it possible to get information about having them enrolled on Meals on Wheels?”
Client Needs
Due to the cold and rain, we need blankets and heaters for our clients for immediate disstribution.
Please drop off new items only at 3227 E. 5th St. Austin, TX 78702
Many of our clients are in need of basic items
- Toiletry items
- Ensure - generic brands ok - see below *
- Household items: laundry soap, cleaners, etc.
- Gift cards to HEB, Wal-Mart or Target (increments of $20)
- New microwaves
- During winter new blankets & heaters
- During summer new energy efficient A/Cs and fans
Holiday Wish List FAQs
1. Where do I drop off gifts? Our central office is located at 3227 E 5th St, Austin 78702.
2. What are your business hours? M-TH 8-5 & FR 8-3:30
3. How much money do I put on a gift card? Any amount you wish to give; it’s up to you—on average cards are usually $20-$25.
4. What stores do I purchase gift cards from? HEB, Wal-mart or Target
5. Can I give money instead? We encourage giving gift cards instead; if you are pressed for time you may give a monetary donation at our office requesting that monies go toward clients Christmas wish.
6. What are toiletries? Personal hygiene items—shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, lotion, body soap, hand soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, razors, etc…
7. What comes in a gift bag? Just about anything you wish to give to client, for example toiletries, inividual snacks, stationary, books of stamps, large print word find, socks, gloves, etc…
8. Can I deliver gifts? If you are a volunteer you may deliver gifts, if not then we would need for you to register with us before delivering.
Please provide new & unwrapped gifts. Contact us to grant wishes.
Holiday Giving
- Volunteer During the Holidays
- Donate Funds
- Fulfill Holdiay Wish Lists
- Help The Sands Family through the Statesman’s Season for Caring
Holiday Gift Grab For Senior Centers
Help spread holiday cheer to some elders of our community by donating items for holiday parties being held at the Congregate Meal Program locations. Gifts will be distributed to each participant. Items can be purchased at the dollar store.
Requested gift grab items:
Candles
Personal Grooming Kits
Socks
Picture Frames
Photo Albums
Tools of any kind
Small Snow Globes
Kitchen towels & Hot Pads
Wrapping Paper & Bags & Bows
To donate contact:
Ester Trevino etrevino@mealsonwheelsandmore.org or 512-476-meals.
Gifts will be received through December 8th.
You don’t have to spend $ to raise $ for MOWAM
In a challenging economy, people are finding economical and creative ways to help Meals on Wheels and More. Here are a few folks who have set the bar for finding unique ways to raise money without spending money.
Kyle Manlove, Handy Wheels Volunteer offers a helping hand running a marathon for our cause.
“I’ve set a goal of raising at least $3,000 by November 15th when I will run my first marathon - the San Antonio Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon.” To contribute and learn more visit http://firstgiving.com/kylemanlove
MOWAM Volunteer Rob Murphy: Helps with his hobby
Five years ago, a co-worker challenged MOWAM volunteer Rob Murphy to compete in a triathlon, teasing him that he was too old to finish such a race. Murphy was emboldened by the dare, and, in the years since, he has proven his co-worker wrong many times over, having completed several marathons, triathlons, and 10K races. Recently, though, Murphy has found himself having to sit some competitions out.
When that happens, Murphy finds another way to stay involved – a way that also allows him to help MOWAM. He signs up to coordinate volunteer teams for various races, and in return the race coordinators agree to donate money to the charity of Murphy’s choice. “It was a revelation to me. I didn’t know [the race coordinators] made those kind of contributions,” he said. “It’s just another way to help.”
For the past five years, Murphy has used his involvement with athletic races to further contribute to Meals on Wheels and More. The last couple of volunteer teams he has coordinated brought in $1,000 in donations collectively.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer coordinator for Austin races and raising money for MOWAM, go online to find out more about participating races at www.highfiveevents.com
Help with realty
If you’re thinking about taking advantage of today’s low-interest rates and buying a home, there’s a way you can find your dream house and help the homebound all at once!
Give Realty is a unique realty firm that pledges 25 percent of every commission they make to the home buyer’s charity of choice. Choose an agent from Give Realty and tell them you want your commission to support Meals on Wheels and More! Call Give Realty at 338-GIVE or go to www.giverealtyaustin.com.
Timmy Alton: Helps with church 
While working on a church project this year aimed at getting youth involved with the community, Timmy Alton decided he wanted to help animals and seniors.
He did that by asking his family, friends, and fellow church members to bring in donations of dog and cat food. He raised 271 pounds of dog food, $200, and myriad other pet supplies for the Meals on Wheels and More PALS program, which provides free pet food and medical care to our clients’ pets.
Help With Soup
Chicken noodle for a good cause? Wow, Austin IS weird. And philanthropic, too! Through a partnership with the Soup Ped¬dler, “soupporters” can now donate to MOWAM while shopping for soup by entering the Soup Peddler website through the following link: http://www.souppeddler.com/?Click=9829.
Help with laughter 
Our favorite funny senior Gladys Hardy is also a terrific supporter of Meals on Wheels and More! She donates a percentage of her comedy CD sales to MOWAM.
So if you are in need of a good laugh and want it to go toward a good cause get a copy of “I love Jesus, but I drink a little” today! www.gladyshardy.com.
Connie Evers: Helps with social media
Meals on Wheels and More employee Connie Evers used her social network on Facebook to raise awareness and money for Meals on Wheels and More.
When her birthday was approaching, she sent out a message to all of her friends asking for donations to Meals on Wheels and More in lieu of birthday gifts. “As a Social Worker, I see firsthand the impact that Meals on Wheels makes for our clients. I have clients that this is the only nutritious meal they will have for the day,” she said. “I wanted my birthday to focus on the needs of others rather than on myself and thought Facebook would be an easy way to let my friends know about this important cause.”
Join the Meals on Wheels and More Facebook cause today!
Help Austin’s Homebound Stay Connected!
On Feb. 17, 2009, all broadcast TV stations will switch from broadcasting on analog airwaves to digital airwaves. This means that every person without cable will need to install a converter box on their television to continue to receive basic stations, like NBC, ABC, and CBS. Because few MOWAM clients can afford cable due to the fact that most are elderly and are living on fixed incomes, many will be affected by this transition and lose their main connection to the outside world.
The federal government had made $40 coupons for the converter boxes available to individuals who needed them, but that program has run out of funding and these coupons are no longer being issued, leaving many MOWAM clients who were previously unaware of the coupons or unable to apply for them on their own, without. Therefore, MOWAM is now accepting donations from anyone in the community who might already have coupons they do not plan to use.
To donate coupons to low-income, MOWAM clients, please do one of the following:
1. Simply mail them to:
Meals on Wheels and More
Attn: Sandy Bautista
3227 E. 5th Street, Austin, TX 78702
2. Call (512)476-6325
3. Email sbautista@mealsonwheelsandmore.org
Thanks for your support!
Compassion Builds version 1 2008
MOWAM Seeking Compassionate Heart
Future population projections demonstrate there will be an immense need for the life-sustaining services we provide, and we need your help. Feel free to contact us for more information on how you can help!
Thanks toSt. David’s Community Health Foundation, Travis County, The Austin American Statesman Cap 10K, and other corporate and private donors, MOWAM isexpanding the existing facility andbuilding anew kitchen. During such tough times, one might say how can we build? How can we not? Poverty and hunger don’t wait for a good economy and we can’t wait either. We expect to move in in early fall 2009 with the kitchen fully functioning by Dec. 2009.
See our progress: The facade is up! July 16, 2009
The Coming Population Boom
By the year 2015, city demographers predict the number of persons 65 and older in Travis County will exceed 165,000. By 2020, this number is expected to hit 214,000 – meaning seniors will then comprise 10 percent of the population. The growth of this agegroup will outpace all others.
It is also expected that in 2020, 17 percent of seniors will live below the poverty line and one out of four will have severe disabilities.
Meals on Wheels and More’s client base will increase exponentially in the next decade, making it imperative that we expand our facility and boost our capacity to serve the most fragile, isolated members of our community.
Compassion Builds a New Kitchen 
The need for our services is great and will become greater.
In 2008, we will prepare over 1 million meals for our clients – up from the 875,000 meals prepared in 2007.
We must build a larger facility if we want to meet the growing demand for basic needs in this community.
You can help! See how ordinary people are using grassroots efforts to raise money for the new building!
Please help with your gift today.
Compassion Builds
Recently, we were awarded a Challenge Grant from the Kresge Foundation – meaning that Kresge will match a portion of your donation toward our building. We have a lot of work to do in order to receive the grant, but through this program your donation can have a more powerful impact.
You are invited to – The Match My Compassion Challenge
Who: Meals on Wheels and More has been awarded a $500,000 challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation. Because of the generosity of the Kresge Foundation matching grant program, your donation can make an even more powerful impact!
What and When: The challenge is to raise $848,941 for the MOWAM Compassion Builds project by September 30, 2010. If Meals on Wheels and More raises this amount, the Kresge Foundation will contribute $500,000 to the cost of the facility & kitchen expansion. To discuss making a multi-year pledge to this campaign, please contact Andrea Torres atorres@mealsonwheelsandmore.org. Naming opportunities are still available.
Why: The City of Austin Demographer predicts that the general population in Central Texas will increase by 79% between 2000 and 2020, the 65 and older segment will grow by 135%, meaning that in 2020 Central Texas will have: 214,000 persons 65 and older, 50,000 seniors with disabilities, and 36,000 older citizens living at 150% of the poverty line or less. Meals on Wheels and More’s client base will increase exponentially in the next decade, making it imperative that we expand to boost our capacity so that we may serve the growing demand for basic needs in our community.
is a national, private foundation that seeks to influence the quality of life for future generations by creating access and opportunity in underserved communities, improving the health of low-income people, supporting artistic expression, assisting in the revitalization of Detroit, and advancing methods for dealing with global climate change.
They have an 80-year history of supporting fundraising campaigns to build capital projects for non-profits throughout the nation. In recent years, they have expanded their grantmaking to more directly help small, mid-size and large nonprofit organizations that cater specifically to the needs of poor, disadvantaged and disenfranchised individuals, families and communities.
A special thank you to St. David’s Community Health Foundation, Travis County, The Austin American Statesman Cap 10K, and other corporate and private donors, for helping with the initial funding for the Compassion Builds expansion project.
Give
A very special thank you to the Applied Materials Foundation for their $15,000 Adopt-A-Route sponsorship in support of the Meals on Wheels and More Meal Delivery program.
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MOWAM has received Charity Navigator’s top honor - a 4-Star rating - for fiscal management.
This award marks the seventh year in a row that Meals on Wheels and More has received this organization’s top honor, putting MOWAM in an elite category of nonprofits across the country. Only 4 percent of all charities evaluated by Charity Navigator have received four consecutive 4-star ratings.
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