Next time Intermountain Health Care is asked to prove its tax-exempt status, it won't have to explain at least one of its charitable contributions.
Wednesday, IHC officials presented Utah County commissioners with a $25,000 check to help expand the struggling "Meals-on-Wheels" program. Two years ago IHC made the same donation when the program was struggling financially."IHC is interested in the nutritional needs of the elderly, and we believe the `Meals-on-Wheels' program plays a key role in meeting these nutritional needs," said Bryant Larsen, IHC spokesman.
Administered by Mountainlands Association of Governments, the program delivers hot meals daily to elderly residents confined to their homes. Currently, "Meals-on-Wheels" delivers 410 meals each day in Utah County and 45 in Wasatch County. The program is funded with state and federal grants.
However, because the state and federal money is not enough to meet demand, the program recently began turning away new applicants. More than 60 elderly residents are on a waiting list to receive hot meals, and the waiting list is growing.
"This money from IHC will allow us to take care of this waiting list for two or three years," Commissioner Malcolm Beck said.
Mountainlands officials hope to expand service in the summer to Summit County. With IHC's contribution, providing meals to Summit County's elderly is more likely to happen.
"The need is the same there as it is in other counties," Beck said.
As long as current population trends continue, Mountainlands officials say more elderly will ask for assistance. To keep up with demand, the organization will need more funding.
"This program is very important to the elderly. For many, it's the only hot meal they ever get," Beck said.