Arlington, VA – October 31, 2024 - Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander and National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP) Executive Director Bob Blancato today issued this statement regarding their
request for emergency supplemental funding for senior nutrition programs:
In a letter sent to key administration and congressional leaders this week, Meals on Wheels America and NANASP were joined by 63 national organizations in urgently requesting $200 million in emergency funding for the Older
Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program. This emergency funding would make a critical difference, allowing local senior nutrition programs to provide nearly 75 million more meals and serve an additional 650,000 older adults.
America's older adults are in crisis. Nearly 13 million Americans age 50 and older face food insecurity, and 1 in 3 feels lonely, a declared epidemic. In a recent survey of the Meals on Wheels network, 45% of programs currently have a waitlist or
intend to start one, with an average wait of 108 days - in some cases, it’s up to two years. Rising costs, significantly growing need and funding shortfalls are forcing local programs to stretch their resources to the breaking point, placing
older Americans in need on waitlists for lifesaving meals, social connection and wellness checks.
Congregate and home-delivered meal programs reach nearly every community across the country, but without emergency supplemental funding, they simply cannot keep up with the growing demand, and the number of vulnerable older adults placed on waitlists
will continue to increase. This emergency funding is a positive step toward ensuring that no senior in America is left hungry, isolated or forgotten.
ABOUT MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA
Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. Powered by a trusted volunteer workforce, this network
delivers a comprehensive solution that begins with a meal and is proven to enable independence and well-being through the additional benefits of tailored nutrition, social connection, safety and much more. By providing funding, programming, education,
research and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
ABOUT NANASP
Founded in 1977, the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP) is proud to be a leading organization advocating for policies and programs nourishing older adults. Our 1,110 member programs represent a wide range of
essential services providers who support the nutrition, health and life quality of over 4 million older adults. For more information, go to nanasp.org
.