Best friends share many things with each other: time, fun, naps, and sometimes lunch. Even best friends don’t always agree on the menu. Or what’s good for one isn’t for the other, or there’s not always enough for two. Many seniors throughout the community live alone and their contact with others can be very limited. For some of them, their best friend is their pet and they share whatever resources they have with that much loved pet, including their food.

Neighborhood House at 1020 S. Matthew Street in Peoria delivers some 160,000 meals annually to homebound seniors. That food can make a significant difference in the senior’s ability to live independently. And while the portions may be generous, the meal is designed to feed one not two.

Various studies nationwide have determined that often the senior shares his or her food with a much-loved pet. In response to that situation, Neighborhood House initiated the Critter Meals on Wheels Program. Lunch is delivered to the senior each weekday, and once a month a bag of food is delivered specifically for the pet. Currently some 40 seniors receive food for their pets. That number can fluctuate regularly as nursing home stays or personal circumstances may mean the senior is temporarily or permanently off the meal program.

Donnie Trainor is in charge of the meal routes at Neighborhood House. He says the seniors are very appreciative of the pet food they receive. Meal driver Art McMahon echoes those same sentiments, and adds that people would like to receive the pet food more often, although they are grateful for the bag that is brought to them. Art, 71, has been a driver for four years. “It’s a perfect job,” he says. He knows the people on his route and he can recite the names of the pets as well and says the animals always know when he’s there. “I get a lot of satisfaction out of doing this,” Art says enthusiastically. “Sometimes when I deliver the meals on Mondays, the seniors will tell me they haven’t seen another person since Friday when I was there delivering.”

It’s that isolation that makes having a pet so important to many of the women and men who receive meals. Studies have indicated that the loyalty of a pet, and its presence among the senior, reduces stress and physical pain and helps combat loneliness and emotional isolation.  It’s also been demonstrated that petting a much-loved dog or cat can aid in lowering blood pressure.

“We know how important pets are to seniors,” says Larry Von Behren, Director of Operations at Neighborhood House. “For some, it’s their key companion. We can’t deliver enough food for the whole month, but we can give them enough for at least a week.”

The pet food that is given to the seniors for their animals comes from a variety of sources. People knowing about the program donate actual food or money to purchase the food. “It’s only through donations that we can continue this program,” says Larry. The program was launched over six years ago. “We’re very thankful we have donors who understand the need.”

Neighborhood House is also working in partnership with the Peoria Humane Society and PAWS, Peoria Animal Welfare Shelter. PAWS is now operated by PCAPS, Peoria County Animal Protection Services. Patti Schaffner, Community Resource Coordinator for the Humane Society, says some veterinary assistance for Meals on Wheels recipients is a service that the Humane Society can help provide. Both the Humane Society and PAWS have also given pet food to Critter Meals.

For about the past seven years, some of the seniors involved in programs at Neighborhood House spend Thursday mornings rolling newspapers. Those rolls of paper are then taken to the Animal Shelter to line the cages of the animals. While certainly not reciprocal activities, the involvement of Neighborhood House, the Humane Society, and PAWS demonstrates very well the importance and benefit of collaboration in providing services.

The need for donations for Critter Meals is ongoing. Pet food for dogs, cats, and birds can be brought to Neighborhood House. Monetary donations can be given specifically for the program. For additional information, please call 309-674-1131 or visit www.nhpeoria.org.