By 2020, Meals on Wheels Inc. of Tarrant County (MOWI) anticipates providing 1,350,000 total meals and providing HomeMed, PAM and diabetes counseling services to 4,533 low income persons—a 50% increase over current figures. As a result of the NMTC financing through UACD, ACT provided $60,000 in grants to partner organizations NPower, an organization that helps veterans reengage in the civilian workforce through partnerships with the tech community, and Wesley Mission Center, a Tarrant County-based non-profit that provides financial assistance, resources, and customized action plans to empower individuals to become self-sufficient.
The Project involves the construction of new food distribution and kitchen facility for Meals on Wheels, Inc. (MOWI) of Tarrant County. Since 1973, MOWI of Tarrant County has delivered 16 million meals to homebound elderly and disabled people who are unable to prepare a nutritious and well-balanced meal for themselves and do not have anyone to help them on a regular basis. In addition to its meal delivery program, the organization administers a Client Services Program that contributes to the health and wellness of its clients, distributing supplies such as fans, air conditioners, walkers, wheelchairs, blankets, adult incontinence supplies, personal hygiene supplies, handheld grabbers, etc. Ninety percent (90%) of MOWI clients are low income individuals.
The new 61,000 SF energy efficient facility with upgraded kitchen equipment is double the size of MOWI’s old building and will allow the organization to not only meet the current demand for 1 million meals each year but also prepare for a projected 50% increase in demand by 2020. The Project will retain 50 permanent jobs and is expected to create an additional 15 permanent jobs by the end of the NMTC compliance period, 80% of which are estimated to be accessible to low-income persons.
