CICOA Receives Grant from Meals on Wheels America to Address Social Isolation and Loneliness in Central Indiana

Funding will help bridge gaps and expand social connection offerings for older adults

CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions announced that it has received $10,000 from Meals on Wheels America, the national leadership organization supporting community-based programs across the U.S. dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation, to help reduce social isolation and improve social connectedness in Central Indiana.

CICOA was awarded a Meals on Wheels America Social Connection Grant to overcome key operational barriers that limit adoption or expansion of programs that address social isolation and loneliness and meet the diverse interests and needs of older adults, particularly those in underserved or unserved communities.

“Human connection is a need for all of us, but especially for many of the older adults in our community. We are thrilled that Meals on Wheels America makes it possible to address this issue,” said Tauhric Brown, President and CEO at CICOA.

In our efforts to diversify social connection offerings and encourage older adults to connect meaningfully, CICOA’s Meals & More department will offer a creative arts program at two neighborhood meal sites, a new opportunity to connect with others. The three art projects in this program will encourage participants to use abstract and creative thinking to express themselves and share their unique experiences, stories and perspectives through conceptual visual arts.

In addition, Meals & More is starting two new community gardens to help create healthy communities through food access, social engagement and purpose. There is abundant evidence of the physical and psychosocial benefits that come with gardening. Community gardens offer an inviting space for people to connect with nature and each other, which can improve mood, increase energy levels, and promote a sense of purpose and belonging.

Gardening also creates opportunities for increased physical activity. Gardening tasks like planting, weeding, watering and harvesting can help with improving mobility, flexibility and strength, enhance motor skills, and even prevent or reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. Community members are empowered to work together to create green space in their neighborhood and to grow healthy food in areas where it is not readily available.

“One in three seniors reports feeling lonely, which has been shown to increase their risk of health complications and negatively impact their well-being,” said Ellie Hollander, Meals on Wheels America President and CEO. “For many clients, the volunteer delivering their meal is the only person they will see that day. Programs that foster social connection serve as an invaluable way to reduce isolation and loneliness. That’s why we’re proud to support CICOA’s Meals & More program with this grant.”

$100,000 in grants were awarded to 10 programs as part of the Meals on Wheels America Social Connection grant program. In total, Meals on Wheels America has awarded $3.6 million in grants to local providers in 2024. Funding for CICOA’s grant was made possible by Caesars Foundation, a Meals on Wheels America national partner. Caesars Foundation is committed to creating thriving communities with equitable access to the fundamentals for a good life including nutritious food and social connections.

About Meals on Wheels America
Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger. This network serves virtually every community in America and, along with an estimated two million staff and volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership, education, research and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

About Caesars Foundation
The Caesars Foundation is a private foundation funded by resorts owned or operated by Caesars Entertainment and is the entity through which Caesars funds non-profit programs. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting the communities in which Caesars Entertainment operates with an ongoing commitment to economic development while improving the quality of life of Team Members and their families, the community, and society at large. To learn more about Caesars Entertainment’s corporate social responsibility, please visit www.caesars.com/corporate.