Venice Area Mobile Meals, Inc. reports on Gulf Coast Grant impact

VENICE, Fla. - March 19, 2013 - PRLog -- Venice Area Mobile Meals, Inc. is pleased to announce its final report and impact of a $20,000 grant awarded in June 2012 by Gulf Coast Community Foundation. The funding was provided from the Frank and Elsie Bushroe Charitable Fund and The Venice Endowment Fund.

The grant funds have paid for 6,500 meals for eligible clients in the greater Venice area who faced financial hardship and were financially qualified as unable to pay for their meals, during the period of June through November 2012.

The economic climate has made it difficult for Venice Area Mobile Meals, Inc. While meal service demand increased to 50,504 meals delivered in 2012, meal cost increased by 25 cents in June 2012, the number of unpaid meals has also increased over prior year levels, and investment income has leveled off. Venice Area Mobile Meals, Inc. turned to Gulf Coast Community Foundation to apply for a needed operating grant to help ensure that residents in need could continue to receive meals.

While 20 percent of clients were anticipated to fall into the financial hardship category in 2012, actual year end reports have shown that the percentage of clients facing financial hardship has risen to an average of 25 percent for the year 2012. From an average of 165 meals delivered per day in 2012, an increase to over 200 meals per day has been experienced since early 2013.

As a community service organization, Venice Area Mobile Meals, Inc. relies on prompt payment of delivered meals each month, at a cost per meal of $3.00. Low cost meals are prepared and packaged daily on the premises, made possible by nonprofit business partner Village on the Isle. Venice Area Mobile Meals, Inc. also depends on community support to complete its mission, through the efforts of unpaid volunteers and charitable donations received from individuals, groups, civic and community associations and local businesses.

“Venice Area Mobile Meals, Inc. is most fortunate and grateful for the $20,000 grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Gulf Coast has been a valuable and supportive resource that has enabled our continued Meals on Wheels service to the most needy residents. We highly value their initiatives and responsiveness,” reported past President Donald Dwiel.

About Gulf Coast

Together with its donors, Gulf Coast Community Foundation transforms our region through bold and proactive philanthropy. Gulf Coast is a public charity that was created in 1995 through the sale of the Venice Hospital. Since then, it has welcomed more than 500 charitable funds established by generous donors and funded more than $146 million in grants in the areas of arts and culture, health and human services, education, civic and economic development, and the environment. Learn more at GulfCoastCF.org.

About Venice Area Mobile Meals

Venice Area Mobile Meals, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, community supported, all volunteer organization, has delivered over 1.44 million noon-time meals to area residents since 1969. Its mission is to provide a warm, noon-time meal, daily except Sunday, to any person in the Greater Venice, Florida area unable to prepare a meal because of a physical or mental disability. Although there are no age restrictions, most meal recipients are seniors.

An average of 185 meals are delivered a day, 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year, holidays included, with the help of about 200 volunteers, each providing a few hours of their time each week.

Venice Area Mobile Meals, Inc. is not associated with Meals on Wheels Association of America, nor does it receive any financial funding from any government entity.

Inquiries may be sent by e-mail to Public.Relations@VeniceAreaMobileMeals.com or in writing to Venice Area Mobile Meals, Inc. 920 Tamiami Trail South, Venice, FL 34285. For more information, visit http://www.VeniceAreaMobileMeals.com  or call (941) 488-1889.