Nationwide cuts to Meals on Wheels hit Southwest Virginia, forcing service reductions for seniors

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - Nationwide funding cuts to the Meals on Wheels program are having a direct impact in Southwest Virginia, where a local agency is now reducing meal deliveries to homebound seniors, even as demand continues to rise.

The Local Office on Aging (LOA), which operates the program in the region, has been facing challenges since the pandemic. However, the recent wave of cuts has worsened the situation.

“Meals on Wheels has faced challenges since the pandemic, and after recent nationwide funding cuts, the situation is worse. The Local Office on Aging is now forced to reduce the number of meals they deliver, despite the rising demand from aging seniors,” said Ron Boyd, CEO of LOA.

Meals on Wheels plays a crucial role in helping seniors remain in their homes and avoid assisted living facilities. For many homebound seniors, these meals are not just a convenience, but an essential lifeline. Yet, due to the cuts, LOA has had to make difficult decisions, reducing the number of meals delivered each day.

“Now that all that extra funding is gone, we’ve had to start decreasing, and we’re down to serving 500 people. That’s 75 fewer than before, and we’re hoping we don’t have to go any further,” said Boyd.

The need for these services is greater than ever, with more seniors facing food insecurity. Rising food costs and a shrinking budget are putting even more pressure on LOA to meet the growing demand.

Boyd said the aging population is increasing at an alarming rate.

“The statistics don’t lie. Every day, 1,200 seniors turn 60. Our community is aging, and there are more seniors who are food-insecure and need help.”

LOA is working hard to secure additional funding, actively seeking volunteers, and accepting donations of shelf-stable items for their emergency food pantry. Collaborations with organizations like Feeding Southwest Virginia are helping to maintain food security for seniors, but the future remains uncertain.

“We’re approaching the early 2030s, where, for the first time in our nation’s history, people 65 and older will outnumber those 18 and younger. They’re going to live longer and stay in their homes. We don’t need to be cutting funding; we need to be increasing it,” said Boyd.

Copyright 2024 WDBJ. All rights reserved.