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Grant Application - Meals on Wheels America Meeting Unmet Need Acceleration Gift Distribution
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INFORMATION CONTACT:
Stephanie Starr, Human Services Agency - Department of Community Support and Outreach, Director, 704-296-4302
ACTION REQUESTED:
Authorize the County Manager to submit the associated grant application and make necessary assurances and certifications associated with the grant application as substantially consistent with this agenda item, which includes the authorization to execute documents related to the award of the grant and budget funds as appropriate.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
None.
BACKGROUND:
In April 2026, Meals on Wheels America (MoWA) announced that philanthropist MacKenzie Scott made a $70 million unrestricted gift to support its national network. MoWA is using this investment to strengthen and expand local providers' capacity to meet the growing demand for senior nutrition services nationwide.
As part of this effort, Meals on Wheels America established the Meeting Unmet Need Acceleration Investment, a $10 million initiative designed to support providers experiencing high demand. Acceleration Gift Distributions provide $10,000 to member organizations with active waitlists for meals.
These distributions are non-competitive and require only the completion of a brief acknowledgment form to accept funding. Recipients are not subject to additional reporting requirements, and no local match is required.
Union County was contacted about the availability of these funds on 5/20/26 and will be required to sign documentation by 6/10/26 to receive the $10,000. The funds will be utilized to purchase meals.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
$10,000 will be awarded with no required match.