For 60 years, Meals on Wheels has ensured that older Americans get the nutrition they need in the safety and comfort of their home. But the future of this essential program is far from secure.
Approximately 90% of our local providers rely on federal funding, and for 60% of them, that funding accounts for at least half of their budgets, underscoring the critical role federal support plays in sustaining one of the nation's most worthwhile and efficient programs.
Despite serving 2.2 million older adults annually, the need has never been greater. The number of older adults facing food insecurity has quadrupled, emblematic of a growing crisis that demands immediate action.
In 1965, Congress passed and President Lyndon Johnson signed the Older Americans Act − the first federally funded nationwide program designed to preserve the dignity, independence and well-being of older adults.
We simply cannot continue to overlook the needs of older adults in this country or treat them as afterthoughts. Our country is projected to include more than 97 million people over the age of 60 by 2040 and, as our population ages, we need to scale programs that are trusted, proven and have withstood the test of time.
Programs like Meals on Wheels keep older adults healthier, reduce strain on our health care system and support caregivers and families across every zip code in America.
On the 60th anniversary of the Older Americans Act, let's do more than celebrate a legacy. Let’s commit to securing its future by funding what works.