The Incredible Story of Zen Buddhist Chef Jeong Kwan Meals on Wheels doesn’t often get the credit it deserves. The international nonprofit ensures those who are unable to buy or make their own meals get the food they need to survive. Of course, for many recipients, the efforts of the organization go far beyond “survival.” For those who receive food daily or weekly, those deliveries may be their only source of social interaction. And during times of social distancing, the program became more important than ever. Meals on Wheels doesn’t just serve meals to the elderly and people with disabilities — it also serves those people’s pets. In 2019, Meals on Wheels Atlanta realized there was a huge need in their community to feed the pets of senior citizens. It stands to reason that if an elderly individual is unable to shop or cook for themselves, their pets may be in a similar predicament. And when someone’s pet is their entire world, making sure the animal is fed and healthy means everything. In response to this need, Meals on Wheels Atlanta began stocking up on cat and dog food, creating their own pantry to serve the local pet community. When volunteers made their rounds delivering meals to seniors, they made sure to bring cat and dog food along too. Food for Thought
The volunteer told 11Alive News in Atlanta that Jeffery and Grizzly “have their own special relationship.”
Larry loved Grizzly long before Meals on Wheels Atlanta started the pet pantry because he saw how much Grizzly’s companionship meant to Jeffery. Now, Larry enjoys
his service that much more since he gets to provide for Jeffery’s beloved pet, as well.
On top of delivering food to seniors and their pets, Meals on Wheels Atlanta also delivers pet toys and pet beds, and they are happy to take in any pet-related food or items for
donation. The organization says this endeavor was done out of love, not only for the people they serve but also for the whole family — wagging tails, fuzzy whiskers, and all.
One volunteer with Meals on Wheels Atlanta, Larry Auberbach, had a unique experience delivering meals to Jeffery Jones and his dog, Grizzly.
Another Semester Is Headed Our Way What Can You Do About Your Debt?
The payoff for college is much different today than ever before. Years ago, a person could work through the summer and pay for both fall and spring semesters at college. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. Instead, it’s often necessary for students to take out student loans to help them through their college years. While loans may help these students obtain an education, this debt is something that will weigh on them for the rest of their lives. What’s more alarming is that when a student graduates, the jobs they get usually aren’t worth what they are paying in student loan debt. This is something that comes up regularly at the desk of Tim Thompson. “I see it all the time,” Tim says, “how much student loan interest all my clients are still paying, two decades later.” To help avoid or reduce crushing college debt, there are a few options open to you. One is to enroll in a work-study program. A federal work-study, as
defined by Federal Student Aid, is “A federal student aid program that provides part-time employment while the student is enrolled in school to help pay his or her education expenses.” In addition to this, a student must actively seek out and apply for these work-study jobs at their school, the availability of which vary from campus to campus. These jobs include clerks, tutors, assistants, research positions, or library positions and can be both on and off campus. Finding and applying for these positions is ideal for many students, especially when that position is similar to their education program. It not only gives them an opportunity to pursue and grow in their area of interest, but it also helps remove some of the weight of their student loans. With another school semester starting this month, it’s important to keep your eye out for anything that can assist you in your student debt. To learn more about work-studies or how you can approach student loans, visit StudentAid.Gov.
2
MyDFWCPA.com
Published by The Newsletter Pro • www.TheNewsletterPro.com
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker