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Chatham County Aging Services Receives Grant to Repair Homes of Aging Veterans

Post Date:04/10/2026 2:14 PM

CHATHAM COUNTY, NC – Chatham County Aging Services announces that it has received a grant from Meals on Wheels America and The Home Depot Foundation through their joint initiative, Helping Homebound Heroes – a program that provides home repairs and modifications for aging veterans. The funding will support Chatham County Aging Services’ efforts to ensure veteran clients have safe and accessible homes. This is the 7th year of involvement in the Helping Homebound Heroes program by Chatham County Aging Services (formerly Chatham County Council on Aging), while the construction work is performed by Preserving Home.

Two male volunteers repairing a home for an aging veteran

Two male volunteers repairing a home for an aging veteran

“We are pleased to be a partner in the Helping Homebound Heroes program,” said Ashlyn Martin, Chatham County Aging Services director. “It has proven to make a profound impact on our veteran neighbors, whose courageous service to our nation and people deserves our respect and gratitude. It is truly an honor to now help them live safely in their homes.”

Since the partnership with Meals on Wheels America began in 2015, The Home Depot Foundation has contributed over $24 million and countless volunteer hours from Team Depot – The Home Depot's associate volunteer force – to work alongside community-based Meals on Wheels providers on a wide range of home improvement projects, from converting showers and adding grab bars for bathroom accessibility, to repairing railings and constructing wheelchair ramps. 

According to follow-up surveys, 95% of clients who responded reported that the home modification and repair services provided made them feel safer in their homes, and 94% reported that the services help them to continue living independently in their home.   

"Aging veterans who have given so much to us and our country deserve the opportunity to live more safely and independently in the comfort of their own homes," said Ellie Hollander, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. “We are extremely grateful for The Home Depot Foundation’s long-standing commitment that helps local Meals on Wheels providers like Chatham County Aging Services deliver more than just a meal to those in need.”

Meals on Wheels America is now entering its eleventh year of the Helping Homebound Heroes program and has served over 4,300 veterans, with a continued goal to serve even more aging veterans nationwide. This year the program has awarded funding to 19 Meals on Wheels organizations in 13 states across the country.  

For more information on the Helping Homebound Heroes program or to request an application, contact Jimmy Lewis, Aging Services Grants and Communications Specialist, at 919-545-8411 or email jimmy.lewis@chathamcountync.gov or Brittney Quezada, Preserving Home Community Engagement Manager at 919-341-5980 or bquezada@preservehome.org.

For more information on Chatham County Aging Services, visit the department’s website at www.chathamcountync.gov/agingservices.

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