Years ago, we discovered a touching but concerning reality: many of our elderly and disabled clients were sharing their nutritious meals with their beloved pets. While this speaks volumes about the love and companionship these animals provide, it also highlighted a serious issue—our clients were not receiving the full nutritional benefits of the meals intended for their own health.
For seniors living on a fixed or minimal income, providing both for themselves and their pets can be incredibly challenging. Their pets are often their only companions, especially for those who are homebound or isolated. The emotional support and comfort these animals offer is immeasurable, but so is the burden of feeding them when resources are scarce.
Unfortunately, the meals we deliver, while nourishing for people, are not suitable or safe for pets. Feeding these meals to cats or dogs could pose health risks to the animals. More importantly, it means our clients are sacrificing their own health and wellness out of love and necessity.
To address this need, we offer a supplemental pet food program at no cost to qualifying clients. Those who have difficulty providing enough food for their cat or dog may receive pet food assistance for up to two pets. This ensures that both our clients and their furry friends can maintain their health and well-being.
By supporting both human and pet needs, we aim to reduce the emotional and nutritional strain on our clients. It’s just one of the many ways Meals for the Elderly continues to care for the whole person—and the whole household—here in San Angelo.
