Meals On Wheels Of Ocean County Gets 25K State Farm Grant

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Meals on Wheels of Ocean County is one of 100 countrywide causes that won a $25,000 State Farm Neighborhood Assist Grant to support the community.

Based in Manahawkin, Meals on Wheels provides 260,000 nutritious meals to frail and homebound senior citizens, throughout Ocean County, each year.

“Meals on Wheels of Ocean County gained enough votes from the community to finish as one of 100 grant winners from across the country and was one of just six grant winners in New Jersey,” State Farm Corporate Responsibility Analyst Jennifer Young said in a release. “Clearly, Ocean County residents are committed to supporting their older neighbors in need.”

The money will go towards the Pick Up the Tab program (PUTT).

“This funding will help us decrease our waitlist, purchase new heating and refrigeration delivery vehicles and hire more drivers to deliver the over 800 meals we currently serve each day,” Meals on Wheels of Ocean County Executive Director James Sigurdson said. “The PUTT program is a critical lifeline toward health and independence. We serve more than 1,600 Ocean County seniors and are extremely grateful for this State Farm grant.”

Not only was Meals on Wheels one of six New Jersey winners, it was also one of two in Manahawkin alone. David's Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation also won a State Farm grant this year. Read More: Manahawkin Cancer Charity Wins 25K State Farm Grant

The check was presented to Meals on Wheels by local State Farm agents Lisa Patchell and Carinne Leisey-Gulati during a senior citizen prom at the Meals on Wheels Community Café.

Over 10 days, 2.2 million votes were cast by 88,000 people.

For a complete list of this year’s 100 winners, please visit: www.neighborhoodassist.com.