OCES Helps Provide Food for 111 Pets

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the regional agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout the greater Brockton and Plymouth county area, has recently received a grant from Banfield Charitable Trust to continue their work helping people feed their pets.

The Pet Food Distribution Grant from Banfield Charitable Trust will enable OCES’ Pets Eat Too program to purchase pet food and distribute it to low-income older adults and people with disabilities, so that they can continue to care for their pets in their home.

Those living on fixed incomes often have difficulty providing for their pets’ needs in addition to their own. Those receiving nutritional support for their pets are OCES Meals on Wheels consumers and/or consumers referred by their care manager.

Last year OCES helped 76 individuals by providing pet food for their 111 pets, thanks to Banfield Charitable Trust, and a pet food drive conducted by the Plymouth County Chapter of Altrusa International.

“Pets provide a significant source of comfort, companionship and purpose for many older adults and people living with disabilities,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES. “Helping our consumers feed their pets is an important service that OCES is pleased to offer made possible by Banfield Charitable Trust and the Plymouth County Chapter of Altrusa International.”

To learn more, contact OCES’ Nutrition Department at (508) 584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.