Special to IFN
The Iredell Council on Aging (ICOA) has been awarded a $16,500 grant through the Meals on Wheels Loves Pets Regional Cohort Grant Program, made possible by PetSmart Charities and administered by Meals on Wheels America.
This funding includes a $15,000 program grant and a $1,500 Cohort Leader Award, which recognizes ICOA’s leadership in fostering the bond between older adults and their pets.
The grant will support the “Meals for Paws” program. This donation-based initiative provides pet food and supplies to homebound older adults in Iredell County who face challenges accessing food, transportation, and resources necessary for caring for their animal companions.
“We are honored and thrilled to receive this support from Meals on Wheels America and PetSmart Charities,” said Jennifer Barraclough, executive director of the Iredell Council on Aging. “For many of our clients, their pets are more than just animals; they are family members who provide companionship and connection. The U.S. Surgeon General has warned that social isolation can be as harmful to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
“Pets play a vital role in breaking that isolation, offering purpose, unconditional love, and support. This grant empowers us to nourish pets while also protecting the emotional and physical well-being of the older adults who rely on them,” she added.
Meals for Paws began as a pilot initiative in 2024 and expanded into a comprehensive program in January 2025, thanks to generous community donations and support from the Love United Iredell campaign.
Since then, ICOA has provided monthly pet food deliveries, along with leashes, bowls, and other essential care items. The program currently serves our home-delivered meal and congregate meal program clients — nurturing the well-being of both older adults and their pets while helping to maintain the bond that brings daily comfort, connection, and purpose.
Along with the funding, ICOA will join a national cohort of organizations working to enhance and sustain pet service programs across the country. Throughout the 12-month grant period, ICOA will receive specialized resources, technical assistance, and training to strengthen its efforts and impact.
As part of the grant, ICOA will also participate in a virtual Kick-Off Webinar on June 24, alongside other grantees, in a shared effort to combat isolation and improve the well-being of older adults and their animal companions.
Meals for Paws is an extension of ICOA’s mission to promote healthy, independent aging and to ensure that no older adult in Iredell County is forgotten or left behind. The program is funded entirely through donations and grant support.
LEARN MORE
To learn more about Meals for Paws or to donate, visit www.iredellcoa.org or contact Jennifer Barraclough at jbarraclough@iredellcoa.org.
About the Iredell Council on Aging
The Iredell Council on Aging is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Iredell County’s older adults through advocacy, services, and connection. Serving adults aged 60 and older, ICOA offers programs including Meals on Wheels, senior nutrition sites, caregiver support, transportation coordination, and wellness activities. The organization operates senior centers in Statesville and Mooresville and partners with local agencies to ensure that older adults can age in place with dignity, independence, and purpose.