ROCKWALL, TX (Nov. 19. 2023) Meals on Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County is proud to announce a $1.29 million challenge grant from the J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation of Midland, TX, providing significant momentum and support for the construction of a Senior Life Center.
The grant will provide a significant portion of the funds needed to complete the project, which was officially unveiled during MOWSS’ annual gala in October.
The grant, intended to spark private giving toward an organization, will require MOWSS to raise an additional $2.5 million by October 10, 2024, for the project.
The Mabee Foundation, established in 1948, has provided more than $1.5 billion in grant support to capital projects and major medical equipment, exclusively funding projects located in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas.
MOWSS’ campaign is titled Welcome to the Table, and the project will include a commercial kitchen, congregate center, and offices. The new Senior Life Center will benefit active and homebound seniors and people with disabilities, as well as their caregivers. Plans are currently underway for a 20,000-sq. ft. facility at 1780 Airport Road near John King Blvd., providing easy access for active seniors, caregivers, and volunteers.
A commercial kitchen will not only provide daily hot meals for MOWSS’ homebound seniors; it will also offer daily lunch service in the congregate center for active seniors and their families and caregivers. The congregate center concept includes seating for large capacities and will be available as a venue rental when not servicing MOWSS’ clients.
Offices will be onsite for the MOWSS staff and dedicated spaces for area support agencies as needed for counseling and support services. The Senior Life Center will be a central hub for senior services and will be poised to support the expanding aging population in Rockwall County.
According to Margie VerHagen, Executive Director, “Recent challenges have resulted in five ‘fresh to frozen meals’ delivered to our clients one time per week from an outside contractor. It will be a blessing for all for MOWSS to have our own kitchen where preparation of hot meals will occur and will also provide control of dietary needs and food costs. The senior population is on an upward trajectory as neighborhoods in Rockwall County continue to grow. MOWSS’s focus is support for our clients through nutritious hot meals, community, and opportunities to thrive.”
To learn more about this capital project, naming opportunities, or to donate to the Welcome to the Table campaign, please contact:
Margie VerHagen, Executive Director, mverhagen@rockwallmealsonwheels.org, 214-405-8522, rockwallmealsonwheels.org/capitalcampaign.
About the Organization
Meals on Wheels Senior Services is a nonprofit organization based in Rockwall, TX. Established in 1978, Meals on Wheels Senior Services serves over 700 unduplicated clients, providing more than 95,000 meals annually.
For more information, visit RockwallMealsonWheels.org/capitalcampaign.
Sponsored content by Meals on Wheels Senior Services of Rockwall County.
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