Support the Critter Meals on Wheels Fund

This fund was started in April of 2015 by Gail and Craig Barley in memory of Craig's mother, Patricia Herndon Barley Shreeve. It provides annual grants to support the Neighborhood House , Peoria, IL, Critter Meals on Wheels program. Meals on Wheels recipients give much of their food to their pets. Critter Meals on Wheels provides pet food along with "people food."

Neighborhood House, 1020 S. Matthew St., Peoria, IL61605, delivers over 195,250 home-delivered meals annually to homebound seniors. Many seniors on the program have a pet that is extremely important to them. Neighborhood House knows the important role the pet serves in the life of the homebound senior who lives alone. Studies have also indicated the ever present loyalty of a pet reduces stress, physical suffering, enhances self-esteem and, most importantly, combats loneliness and emotional isolation.

One thing Neighborhood House discovered with their seniors is that they would share their Meals on Wheels with their pet if they didn't have pet food. With this in mind, they initiated the Critter Meals on Wheels program. Through this program, participants are able to eat their lunch and Neighborhood House provides pet food for their animal.