SHOW SUPPORT FOR MEALS ON WHEELS

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With the annual appropriations process underway, I ask you to prioritize nutrition, health and wellbeing for your senior constituents by providing $1.3 billion – or a $218 million increase – for the Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program in the FY 2025 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill. The OAA is the primary piece of legislation supporting Meals on Wheels programs in our state and nationwide, with the delivery of 251 million meals to 2.2 million seniors each year.

The problems of senior hunger and isolation are growing in America: More than 12 million seniors are threatened by or experience hunger and 1 in 4 seniors lives alone. The good news is that Meals on Wheels has the solutions in place to address these issues, if properly funded. Over 80% of Meals on Wheels participants report that the services they receive improve their health, help them feel more secure and allow them to live independently. None of this would be possible without federal funding through the OAA.

The onset of the pandemic saw a critical influx of emergency funding. However, this funding is receding while community need is not, and nearly all programs are reporting challenges to serve seniors in need. Many are taking drastic steps to sustain their programs amid funding challenges, including adding seniors to waitlists and discontinuing or cutting back services. We need Congress to do its part to protect and strengthen these proven and effective programs by increasing federal OAA funding in FY 2024.

Thank you for your time. I hope I can count on your support and attention to ensure that no senior in America is forgotten.

Meals on Wheels needs your help! Now is an important time for you to contact your Members of Congress for increased funding. The Older Americans Act (OAA) is the foundational source of federal funding for senior nutrition programs across the country, which enables the delivery of 251 million meals to 2.2 million older adults annually.

However, nearly all local programs are struggling to meet the needs in their communities, facing challenges such as rising food costs, fluctuating gas prices, labor and volunteer shortages, and continuing supply chain issues. This is where you can help - your voice makes a difference!

Simply type your name, home address and email to automatically send a message to your Members of Congress asking them to increase funding for the OAA. Thank you for your time and support.

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