The WellMed Charitable Foundation has awarded $25,000 to Urban Jacksonville, Inc. (Aging True) as part of its $1.4 million commitment to charities throughout Florida and Texas, focusing on social determinants of health including food insecurity, economic security, transportation, housing and social isolation.

For over 60 years, Aging True has been a leader of senior care services in Northeast Florida and a member of Meals on Wheels since 1974. Aging True delivers 300,000 hot and frozen meals to home-bound and disabled residents in Clay and Duval Counties each year, and that number continues to grow. Aging True also offers nutritional education and resources for making healthy food choices, along with a host of other services to promote graceful aging.

“This very generous donation from the WellMed Charitable Foundation allows us to provide essential services to our community’s seniors and enables us to continue to find innovative ways to help those who most need our support,” said Teresa K. Barton, CEO of Aging True. “As the number of older adults increases in our area, these kinds of donations become even more vital in delivering choices and resources for them to thrive.”

Out of the roughly 4.5 million seniors living in Florida, 14.1 percent have faced a threat of hunger within the last 12 months. Aging True confronts this need head-on through its Nutrition Delivery program. This support promotes senior health, vitality and independence. Daily interaction between drivers and meal recipients allows for ongoing evaluation of each recipient’s needs.

Other Florida agencies that received grants from the WellMed Charitable Foundation are as follows: 

• SW Florida: Collier County Hunger and Homeless Coalition ($20,000), Senior Friendship Centers ($20,000), Community Cooperative ($20,000), Jewish Family Services of the Suncoast ($15,000)
• South Florida: Feeding South Florida ($25,000), Hope Heroes ($400,000)
• Orlando: Area Agency on Aging of Central Florida Inc. ($20,000), The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia ($20,000)
• Tampa: Feeding America Tampa Bay ($20,000), Meals on Wheels of Tampa ($20,000), Homeless Coalition of Polk County ($20,000), Jewish Family and Children’s Services of the Suncoast ($20,000)
• Treasure Coast: Community Transit ($20,000), Council on Aging of Martin County ($10,000)
• NE Florida: Urban Jacksonville – Aging True ($25,000)

The WellMed Charitable Foundation was established in 2006 by Dr. George Rapier III, a noted physician who is also the Chairman of the Board. The Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization, and the philanthropic partner of WellMed Medical Management, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. Learn more about the Foundation at www.wellmedhcharitablefoundation.org.