Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has donated $70 million to Meals on Wheels America, marking one of her latest large-scale gifts as she continues to distribute billions from her fortune to charitable causes.
The financial gift, the latest in more than $26 billion Scott has given away to philanthropic endeavors, comes as Meals on Wheels America faces rising demand and long waitlists.
According to the organization, nearly 14 million older Americans worry about having enough food and more than half report feeling lonely. One in three local providers has a waitlist, with seniors waiting an average of four months for meals and regular visits, Meals on Wheels said.
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The unrestricted donation will support the organization’s nationwide network of roughly 5,000 providers serving older adults facing food insecurity and social isolation. The funds will expand the organization’s network of community-based providers and reach more seniors who rely on them.
“We are deeply grateful for this extraordinary act of generosity and trust that will help us move closer to a world where every senior who needs Meals on Wheels gets it,” said Ellie Hollander, the organization’s president and chief executive officer.
Scott, who has become one of the most prominent philanthropists in the United States since her divorce from Bezos, has donated large sums to nonprofits across sectors including food access, education and housing. Her giving often comes with few restrictions, allowing organizations to decide how best to use the funds.
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Meals on Wheels America said infrastructure remains a key barrier to serving more people. Nearly all local providers, about 98%, expect to face facility, equipment or staffing needs within the next three years that could limit how many seniors they can reach, the organization said.
Officials said closing those gaps could significantly increase the number of meals delivered each year and reduce wait times.
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Federal funding has not kept pace with growing demand, leaving local providers to rely on a mix of government support, donations and volunteers, they added.
The stated mission of Meals on Wheels is to provide both meals and wellness checks to older adults nationwide, aiming to help them remain independent while addressing both hunger and social isolation.
Mackenzie Scott’s other notable donations
In addition to her gift to Meals on Wheels, earlier this week, Scott made a $42 million donation to Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina. Scott has reportedly donated more than $1 billion to support historically Black colleges and universities in the U.S.
Tens of millions of dollars in historic donations have additionally been made by Scott to support Habitat for Humanity, Planned Parenthood, the Trevor Project, and others.
For a list of other organizations that have received donations from Scott and her foundation, click here.
