HOUSTON (May 16, 2024) – With the approach of what is predicted to be a highly active 2024 hurricane season, Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston is mobilizing its annual Operation IMpact initiative, aimed at preparing Meals on Wheels seniors for potential emergencies through a shelf stable emergency meal supply. As hurricane weather can impact regular meal delivery to those most vulnerable in our community, the need for support and donations has never been more critical.
Operation IMpact focuses on addressing the vital needs of homebound seniors who rely on Interfaith Ministries’ Meals on Wheels program for daily nutrition and support. As extreme weather events like hurricanes and flooding pose safety concerns and other challenges to meal deliveries, Operation IMpact ensures seniors have access to an emergency food supply to sustain them through disruptions.
“According to the U.S. News and World Report, we may have a very active 2024 hurricane season, which highlights the need for these shelf-stable meals to go to our Meals on Wheels seniors,” says Matthew Wright, Director of Meals on Wheels at Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston.
Each weekday, Interfaith Ministries’ Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston and Galveston County Program delivers meals to over 5,600 homebound seniors who struggle to prepare meals for themselves safely. However, during extreme weather, delivering these meals becomes increasingly challenging and sometimes impossible.
To address these challenges, Operation IMpact equips Meals on Wheels seniors with five-packs of single serving shelf-stable meals and emergency supplies, ensuring they have access to essential resources during emergencies.
“We recognize the vulnerability of our seniors during times of crisis, and Operation IMpact serves as a crucial lifeline for those who rely on our Meals on Wheels program,” said Martin B. Cominsky, President and CEO of Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston. “With the generous support of our presenting sponsor, CITGO, and our Harris County sponsor, Energy Transfer Partners, we can ensure that our seniors are prepared and supported during the upcoming hurricane season.”
Operation IMpact is scheduled to take place on June 1st in Houston and June 8th in La Marque. Interfaith Ministries urges community members to support this vital initiative by donating or volunteering. Interfaith Ministries still needs to raise about $40,000 for the program and volunteers are needed to make the deliveries.
“Together with the community’s generosity, we can make a significant difference in the lives of our seniors during times of crisis,” added Cominsky.
To donate or volunteer for Operation IMpact, please visit https://www.imgh.org/operation-impact/.
ABOUT INTERFAITH MINISTRIES FOR GREATER HOUSTON
A United Way partner, Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston (Interfaith Ministries) brings people of diverse faith traditions together for dialogue, collaboration, and service, as a demonstration of our shared beliefs. Interfaith Ministries provides four main services: Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston and Galveston County which delivers more than 1.9 million meals each year to homebound seniors and people with disabilities across four counties; Refugee Services which, in conjunction with the U.S. State Department, resettles thousands of refugees in Houston; Interfaith Relations and Community Partnerships, which provides community services fostering understanding, respect and engagement among Houstonians of all faiths; the Vic Samuels Center for Volunteerism and Civic Service, which establishes a positive and lasting impact on the Greater Houston community through organized service and leadership through Volunteer Houston and SERVE HOUSTON. For more information, visit https://www.imgh.org/.
# # #