Catholic Charities, Henderson add food for pets to Meals on Wheels

Ruby, a 1-year-old white ‎Siberian husky, can tell the Meals on Wheels van has arrived before her owner, Candace Robinow, can.

Though driver Walt Johnson has just pulled up, Ruby has already run to the front door, eagerly awaiting him.

“Hey, Candy, it’s Meals on Wheels,” Johnson says as he knocks on the door. It’s barely 10 a.m., but Johnson has been going through the same routine since about 8 a.m. and will repeat it the rest of the day.

The drop-off includes much-needed meals that help Robinow survive. But this visit is special: Johnson is also carrying a bag of dog food for Ruby.

Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, which delivers to about 2,100 clients each week, has been given a $2,500 grant to purchase food for pets from Meals on Wheels America. The national organization received $300,000 and divided it among 162 of its local programs.

Catholic Charities has been providing food for Meals on Wheels since 1975. In addition to delivering food to people throughout the Las Vegas Valley, its drivers also do wellness checks.

“Oftentimes, it’s the only interaction (the patrons) might have,” said Johnson, who has been a driver for three years. “It’s been rewarding,” he said. “Sometimes you also get to deliver supplements to patrons. It’s nice to see them get healthier (because of what is provided).”

Many of the people he delivers to have pets.

“They aren’t just pets,” he added. “They are their children.”

According to the organization, seniors with pets are 36 percent less likely to report loneliness and have 21 percent fewer doctor visits.

“I see how these dogs really help these seniors,” Johnson said.

For the last few years, drivers have noticed those with pets often feed them food from their own plate. In response, the organization decided to collect pet food for drivers to hand out to people. Before the grant, the organization would provide it using donations.

Catholic Charities isn’t the only organization to expand its efforts to help pets. Kim Becker, a spokeswoman with the city of Henderson, said city staff members also noticed that patrons in its Meals on Wheels program have pets in need of food.

“Some of these patrons mentioned that they share their delivered meals with their pets because they are unable to purchase pet food,” she said. “This could be due to financial reasons or other hardships, such as recovering from an illness or surgery, which makes it difficult for them to drive or shop. Others have no transportation.”

Becker added that the city was able to fund the pet food through community sponsors and private donations.

“No city funds are used for this program,” she said.

Becker said that for the last few months, the city has been able to use donations to fill the need.

“Those Meals on Wheels patrons needing pet food can have it delivered right to their door along with their own meals,” she said. “We have about 350 homebound seniors taking part in the city’s Meals on Wheels program and about 140 pets in all. Pets range from dogs and cats to birds and fish.”

For the last few years, lifelong Las Vegas resident Robinow has relied on Meals on Wheels to deliver a variety of food to her each week.

“I can’t get around much since I don’t have a car,” she said. “They have been so wonderful to me.”

Meals on Wheels makes sure Robinow, who is on Social Security, has enough food to last through the month.

Additionally, Robinow said lugging heavy groceries — let alone giant bags of pet food — would be difficult because of her bad back.

Even with help from friends such as Richard Godfrey, Robinow still wouldn’t be able to always get the amount of pet food she needed.

“So I was thrilled when I heard about this,” Robinow said.

Godfrey said it isn’t just the food Johnson is delivering. He said Johnson sometimes comes equipped with a treat for the pets and takes time to socialize, even petting and playing with Ruby.

After talking with and checking on Robinow, Johnson gives Ruby plenty of love and attention before he has to take off to his next stop.

“That man is a sweetheart,” Godfrey said. “They don’t come any better.”

For more information about Meals on Wheels through Catholic Charities, call 702-385-5284 or visit catholiccharities.com.

For more on the city of Henderson’s program, call 702-267-2956 or visit cityofhenderson.com.

To reach Henderson View reporter Michael Lyle, email mlyle@viewnews.com or call 702-387-5201. Find him on Twitter: @mjlyle.