From the Office of the Sheriff Sheriff Dennis L. Dotson

For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

Date: May 14, 2008

Meals on Wheels for Pets

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with Meals on Wheels in Lincoln County to provide pet food to qualifying homes. Currently, Meals on Wheels provides food to 116 households serving approximately 170 citizens throughout Lincoln County, covering close to 300 miles. The Oregon Cascade West Council of Governments, Older Americans Act, and a great deal of fundraising provide these meals.

Carol Boysun of the Newport Meals on Wheels Office tells us that she also partners with Food Share and is sending out food boxes once each month. The local Food Bank, local grocers, and many volunteers make all this possible.

Sheriff Dennis Dotson approached Carol Boysun in the fall of 2007 and quickly learned that she was a strong supporter of the idea. “A similar program in another part of the state was brought to my attention that is administered by a local Department of Human Services office,” stated Sheriff Dotson. “We discussed the feasibility of using inmates from the jail and Meals on Wheels volunteers to run the program through our Animal Shelter.” “Everyone was very receptive and eager to become involved,” said Dotson.

Sheriff Dotson elaborated on the reason for providing this service. He said that since many of the recipients of Meals on Wheels services are low income and many have pets, the concern is that a portion of the meals are being shared with pets due a lack of income to purchase pet food. This results in compromising the nutritional needs of the Meals on Wheels recipients.

The dog and cat food is provided courtesy of JC Market’s warehouse in the Portland area. Inmates collect, separate, and bag the food into manageable amounts. The bags are then delivered to Meals on Wheels and their volunteers provide the food as a part of their normal delivery. A pet census was conducted by Meals on Wheels volunteers and pet food will be delivered once or twice a week as needed. To participate, Meals on Wheels recipients need to only notify their volunteer that they have a dog or cat and whether the animal(s) requires canned or dry food.

“We are excited about this program and appreciate the cooperation of everyone involved,” stated Sheriff Dotson.

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