Arlington, VA – December 21, 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 the enactment of H.R. 10545 the American Relief Act to keep the federal government operating until March 14, 2025: 

We are relieved that Congress passed and the President signed into law a bill that will keep the government operating through March 14, 2025, but are disappointed that the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA) was not included as part of this Continuing Resolution (CR). Congress’s failure to pass the bipartisan negotiated OAA reauthorization serves as a sad reminder that the needs of our nation’s older adults do not get the attention they need or deserve.

It is crucial that the OAA is not only reauthorized, but that Congress increases funding for this critical legislation that supports community-based nutrition and social services, like Meals on Wheels, for adults 60 and older, their families and caregivers.

When Congress returns, we must reauthorize the OAA and pass Fiscal Year 2025 funding. Current federal funding levels and the previous cuts mean local providers cannot keep up with demand. Millions more seniors could benefit if senior nutrition programs had the resources they need to reach them. Congregate and home-delivered meal programs operate in nearly every community across the country, but without adequate funding, the number of vulnerable older adults placed on waitlists will continue to increase.

Meals on Wheels America and NANASP have called for $1.842 billion in funding for the OAA Nutrition Program for Fiscal Year 2025, an amount calculated based on what is necessary to reach the additional 2.5 low-income, food insecure seniors who are currently not served. We urge Congress to increase this funding and reauthorize the OAA for the millions of older adults who need the nutrition and social connection our programs provide.

Older adults are caught at the center of the continual push, pull and uncertainty in Congress and, as one of our nation’s most vulnerable populations, suffer as a result. It’s time for Congress to truly prioritize the needs of seniors by reauthorizing and adequately funding the OAA Nutrition Program. 

###

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.

Press Contacts:

Jenny Young
Meals on Wheels America
press@mealsonwheelsamerica.org

Laura Borth 
NANASP 
202-789-0470 
lborth@nanasp.org