The Council on Aging Martin County (COA) is pleased to announce a landmark five-year $250,000 philanthropic collaboration with Cleveland Clinic. The $50,000 annual grant will support two critical programs serving Martin County’s most vulnerable seniors: Meals on Wheels Martin County and the Indiantown Congregate Meal Site.
“This support from Cleveland Clinic is truly transformational,” said Council on Aging CEO Karen Ripper. “With this investment, we can deepen our reach into the communities that need us the most, ensuring that no senior in Martin County goes hungry or feels forgotten. Cleveland Clinic’s commitment reflects a shared belief that access to care and food security are fundamental to healthy aging.”
The Meals on Wheels program is COA’s flagship program serving hot, nutritious meals five days a week to homebound seniors throughout Martin County. Beyond nutrition, each delivery serves as a wellness check and connection to community resources. The program currently serves 422 seniors each week.
The Indiantown Congregate meal site is one of four meal sites that COA serves in Martin County. This site is critically important as the poverty rate in Indiantown is approximately 10% higher than the rest of Martin County, making access to affordable nutritious food and social connection both scarce and critical. The congregate program serves approximately 45 seniors each week who might otherwise face isolation and food insecurity.
This contribution builds on Cleveland Clinic’s broader efforts to address food insecurity through philanthropy and care-based programs, including teaching kitchens, pediatric summer and weekend meal initiatives, food vouchers, grocery delivery, free produce from local farms and Nourish food pantries for eligible patients.
Please visit us in person, online at coamartin.org, or on social media, and learn more about the many services of the Council on Aging Martin County. Our staff and volunteers are ready and eager to help.
