news release

Senior Resource Association (SRA), the lead agency for healthy aging in Indian River County, is pleased to announce a philanthropic commitment from Cleveland Clinic. These local funds are part of Cleveland Clinic’s broader five-year, $50 million enterprise-wide commitment to reduce hunger and improve access to nutritious food across its markets. The health system has pledged $120,000 annually over the next five years, totaling $600,000, to bolster SRA’s Meals on Wheels program.

As a non-profit dedicated to the pillars of healthy aging, SRA recognizes that clinical care is only one piece of the longevity puzzle. This grant will allow SRA to provide 9,375 home-delivered meals this year to older adults who are homebound, disabled, or living with complex health challenges.

The ‘Food is Medicine’ philosophy is backed by measurable outcomes. Data from SRA’s program indicate that 92% of Meals on Wheels recipients are able to continue living independently at home due to the program, and 90% report significant improvements in their overall dietary health.

The need is urgent: while SRA currently feeds 355 aging residents from a waitlist of 502, another 147 remain unfed, and the list grows by an average of 25 seniors monthly.

“This extraordinary commitment from Cleveland Clinic will change lives in Indian River County,” said Karen Deigl, SRA President and CEO. “For the seniors we serve, Meals on Wheels is stability and the reassurance that someone cares. This long‑term support allows us to reach more older adults who are waiting and truly struggling to meet their most basic needs.”

Meals on Wheels provides more than nourishment. Nearly 250 volunteers deliver over 2,700 meals each week, offering daily wellness checks and the human connection many seniors lack. Survey data shows that 92% of recipients can continue living at home because of the program, and 90% report healthier diets.

SRA Board Chair Lisa Thompson-Barnes emphasized the local impact: “Too many older adults in our community are forced to choose between food, medication, and housing. Cleveland Clinic’s investment arrives at a critical moment and gives SRA the capacity to respond with compassion and care, ensuring seniors receive the assistance they need while being treated with dignity.”

Senior Resource Association, Inc. (SRA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the Area Agency on Aging’s designated Lead Agency for home and community-based care for the elderly in Indian River County. Since 1974, SRA continues to provide essential services and support for the community’s older adults and their families. Promoting independence and dignity for all adults, SRA programs include Meals on Wheels, DayAway Adult Enrichment & Respite, In-Home Services, Guardianship, Supportive Services, as well as public and door-to-door transportation services. SRA is the Community Transportation Coordinator for Indian River and Martin counties, as designated by the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged. SRA has operated Indian River County’s public transit program, GoLine, since 1992 and Martin County’s public transit system, Marty, since 2025. To learn more, visit www.SeniorResourceAssociation.org.