WASHINGTON, DC – The Daughters of Penelope (DOP), a leading international service organization comprised of women of Hellenic heritage and Philhellenes, presented a $10,000 donation to Meals on Wheels America on September 20, announced Grand President Margaret Dritsas. The donation was presented by Grand President Dritsas to Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander at the 2024 District Governors Leadership Conference in Washington, DC.

“We are proud to support the worthy mission of Meals on Wheels America and its vision of an America in which all seniors live nourished lives with independence and dignity,” Grand President Dritsas said. “We presented our donation during both Malnutrition Awareness Week and Falls Prevention Awareness Week, and hope we can assist, in a modest way, senior nutrition programs such as Meals on Wheels, that play a critical role in combating senior hunger, malnutrition, falls, and isolation.”

“As the older adult population increases along with the costs associated with meeting their needs, 10 million older Americans worry about having enough food and Meals on Wheels programs are struggling to keep up with the demand,” President and CEO Hollander said. “We deeply thank the Daughters of Penelope for their ongoing commitment to the issue of senior hunger and isolation and for this generous donation.”

This is the seventh $10,000 donation in as many years to Meals on Wheels America, which is the leading organization to address senior hunger and isolation.

“Our support of Meals on Wheels America dovetails with our community service programs that assist our nation’s older adults who are in need,” Dritsas added. “For example, Meals on Wheels serves many residents of AHEPA’s and Daughters’ 87 affordable senior housing communities.”

“The Daughters of Penelope is grateful to the AHEPA Senior Living for awarding us a grant to make this donation possible,” Dritsas said.

The 2024-2025 Grand Lodge, Past Grand Presidents Marianthi Treppiedi, Celia Kachmarski, Joanne Booras, Past Grand Governor Robbie Jackson, and Executive Director Elena Saviolakis participated in the presentation with Grand President Dritsas.

Meals on Wheels America’s Chief Development and Marketing Officer Kristine Templin accompanied President and CEO Hollander.

About Meals on Wheels America

Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. Powered by a dedicated volunteer workforce, this network delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, programming, education, research and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time.

For more information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

About the Daughters of Penelope

Founded in San Francisco in 1929, the Daughters of Penelope (DOP) is the first women’s service organization of its kind established in the United States. It is an affiliate organization of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA).

The mission of the DOP is to promote the ancient Greek ideals of Hellenism, Education, Philanthropy, Civic Responsibility, and Family and Individual Excellence.

For more information about the DOP, or any of its programs or projects, please visit www.daughtersofpenelope.org.