By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.
Homebound seniors in Bernalillo and Placitas will get more hot meals and more knocks at the door after Meals on Wheels New Mexico landed a $50,000 grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico.
The nonprofit will use the Blue Impact grant to deliver 5,747 additional meals statewide to homebound seniors, people living with chronic conditions and people experiencing poverty, according to an Oct. 7 press release. That works out to about $8.70 per meal.
The grant also expands face-to-face deliveries in Bernalillo and Placitas, CEO Shauna Frost said. For residents in rural areas, Frost said, “nutritious meals, connection and care are vital to remaining healthy and independent.”
Janice Torrez, BCBSNM market lead and president, said “many rural New Mexicans face significant barriers” to healthy food because they live far from grocery stores.
Blue Impact funds community groups that tackle the social and economic factors behind poor health. The insurer said Meals on Wheels’ work delivering healthy meals and easing social isolation fits that mission.
Get meals or volunteer with Meals on Wheels New Mexico:
- Address: PO Box 92614, Albuquerque, NM 87199-2614
- Phone: 505-808-MEAL(6325)
- Online: mow-nm.org/