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EatStreet & Meals on Wheels Announce “Serve Up A Smile” Program

Madison, WI – The team at EatStreet is eager to announce, in honor of #GivingTuesday, the “Serve Up A Smile” program, a collaboration with the Meals on Wheels Association of America to increase the quality of life for seniors nationwide.

The “Serve Up A Smile” program combines the best of two worlds: ordering delicious food and paying it forward. As diners order food through EatStreet’s website or app, EatStreet will support Meals On Wheels Association of America with a pledged minimum annual donation of $50,000.

EatStreet CEO and cofounder Matt Howard explains, “While we’ve already pledged a donation, we ultimately hope to get our diners volunteering at one of their local Meals on Wheels partners.  It’s really easy to get involved. Our team is delivering meals on a weekly basis here in Madison, and it’s a great feeling to see the smiles at every door.”

The Meals on Wheels Association of America is the largest and oldest national organization composed of over 5,000 local Senior Nutrition Programs in the United States. The Association serves an impressive 1 million meals a day, reaching 2.5 million seniors each year. Meals are not the only service the Meals On Wheels Association dishes out. The Association also enables seniors to remain independent and in their own homes due to the organization’s friendly visits and safety checks.

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According to the State of Senior Hunger in America, the number of seniors facing the possibility of hunger is approximately 9.3 million.

According to the State of Senior Hunger in America report, 9.3 million seniors, or approximately 1 in 6, experience the threat of hunger on a daily basis. The Meals on Wheels Association of America and their team of 2 million volunteers are working hard to reduce this number, but rising food costs and decreased federal funding make it a challenge. The Meals on Wheels Association thus relies greatly on partnerships and individual donations to continue their work with ending senior hunger.

Since its founding as “BadgerBites” in 2010, EatStreet has been devoted to not only providing tasty food, but also giving back to communities. Prior to the “Serve Up A Smile” program, EatStreet donated 5% of its profits to over 100 different local non-profits and student organizations. But as EatStreet expanded rapidly over the last year, a more comprehensive charity program was needed — hence the “Serve Up A Smile.” By partnering with the Meals on Wheels Association of America, EatStreet will reach a greater scope of communities nationwide and support an organization that shares many of its values.

“We needed a partner that could grow with us, and one that had a strong commitment to supporting their cause in communities across the nation,” said Howard. “The Meals On Wheels Association of America is the perfect fit, and we’re excited to join them in keeping seniors healthy and smiling.”

EatStreet makes the process of ordering food simple, efficient and intuitive. By creating a streamlined process, customers are able to access an app that caters to their individual lifestyle. At the same time, the team at EatStreet is aware that many Americans, especially seniors, are unable to access meals this easily due to health or financial barriers. The “Serve Up A Smile” program is an effort to recognize and fight this national issue. In addition to the annual donation, EatStreet employees are committed to delivering meals, and friendly visits, to seniors in the local Madison community on a weekly basis with the hopes of gaining greater community involvement over time.

“EatStreet’s dedicated efforts will help us to support local Meals on Wheels programs across the country as they deliver the nutritious meals, friendly visits, and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live independently in their own homes, where they want to be,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO, Meals On Wheels Association of America. “Together, we’re committed to serve up a smile for seniors in need.”

If interested in getting involved with Meals On Wheels, visit Mowaa.org for information on volunteering or donating to the cause. Find out more about the “Serve Up A Smile” program at www.eatstreet.com/giveback