Meals on Wheels receives $5K grant from WNY Covid Community Response Fund

Provided photo: Paul Saskowski, Director of Business Services, and Vicki Havholm, Nutrition Program Manager, pack up food for the Meals on Wheels program in Orleans County.

Press Release, Arc of Genesee Orleans

ALBION – United Way of Orleans County recently shared great news with the Arc of Genesee Orleans.

“I am pleased to tell you that we have sent $5,000 to your agency to support the Orleans County Meals on Wheels program,” said Dean Bellack, United Way executive director.

The funding came from the Western New York Covid Community Response Fund that Bellack said has been very generous during the pandemic.

“I am very appreciative of the outside funding which has found its way to Orleans County,” Bellack said. “We are thankful we had the means to offer some extra help. The dollars we have received this year only support 50 percent of our requests for funding.”

Arc of Genesee Orleans has operated the Meals on Wheels program in affiliation with the Orleans County Office for the Aging since 2009. In Genesee County, the non-profit has fulfilled the Meals on Wheels contract since 2012.

“Funding our programs and services is always a challenge – even prior to the pandemic,” said Arc GO Director of Development Shelley Falitico. “We are thankful for this unexpected gift and United Way of Orleans County’s continual support of our agency and individuals we serve.”