Published on August 30, 2021

BB&T charitable grant allows OH to provide meals to seniors

Owensboro Health is receiving a $25,000 grant from the Truist Charitable Fund to provide meals for seniors in the Daviess County community.

Truist, formerly known as BB&T, pledged $25 million in philanthropic giving in response to COVID-19. The fund emphasizes the needs of youth, seniors and small businesses with the goal of restoring and supporting thriving communities. OH’s $25,000 sum will support seniors in Daviess County by addressing a major need brought on by COVID-19: food insecurity.

Seniors have been advised to stay at home avoid public gatherings, which led Daviess County Senior Services to pause its weekday congregate meals program. The organization is instead supplementing seniors’ meals by preparing frozen to-go meals for individuals above the age of 65.

In partnership with OH and our dining services provider, Morrisons Healthcare, frozen meals had been provided to Meals on Wheels participants to enjoy on the weekends using uneaten, unprepared food from OH facilities.

However, the demand for meals has increased dramatically, according to Senior Center director Dana Peveler, which, when combined with visitor restrictions in place at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital and a significant reduction in meal preparation at all OH facilities, has created dire need for additional food.

The Owensboro Health Foundation is addressing that need by utilizing funds from the Truist grant to support the senior center’s meal provisions. “Grant funds should allow the feeding program to run uninterrupted for at least the next 8 weeks” Naylor said.

Funds will also be used to purchase and supply personal hygiene supplies and basic medical supply items to help ensure seniors remain healthy at home. Puzzles, books and art supplies will also be provided to seniors to help ensure their mental stimulation during what could be a time of isolation.

BB&T market president Angie Morrison said, “We applaud OH’s efforts to address the needs in your community during this critical time and hope this grant will help provide comfort and relief. Truly, we are better together and wish you well in your endeavors!”

Owensboro Health Foundation exists to help heal the sick and ensure the wellness of the communities served by Owensboro Health and seeks to ignite a spirit of volunteerism and philanthropy to accomplish that mission. For more information about how to support Owensboro Health and the COVID-19 response, please visit the Owensboro Health Foundation website.

About Owensboro Health

Owensboro Health is a nonprofit health system with a mission to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities it serves in Kentucky and Indiana. The system includes Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, nationally recognized for design, architecture and engineering; Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital; Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center; the Owensboro Health Medical Group comprised of over 350 providers at more than 30 locations; three outpatient Healthplex facilities, a certified medical fitness facility, the Healthpark; a weight management program, and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center.

On average each year, we have more than 19,000 inpatient admissions, deliver 2,000 babies and provide the region’s only Level III NICU. Owensboro Health physicians perform nearly 33,000 surgical procedures, including nearly 150 open-heart surgeries. Our physicians and staff have 90,000 Emergency Department visits and more than 1.25 million outpatient visits annually. Visit our home page for more information.