ARLINGTON, Va., October 1, 2025 – Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander and NANASP Executive Director Bob Blancato issued the following statement today in response to the government shutdown:
The government shutdown is deeply troubling. 9 out of 10 Meals on Wheels providers receive federal funding, and for more than 60%, that funding represents half or more of their total budget. Given these programs already operate on razor thin margins and have limited reserve funds to draw upon in emergency situations, any delay in receiving federal funding reimbursements for meals and services delivered could force them to halt meal services, add to already long waitlists, scale back delivery days or close their doors entirely. While the exact impact will depend on the length of a shutdown and will vary by provider, we want to be extremely clear: a shutdown puts seniors’ health – and, for some, even their lives – at risk, underscoring that once again they are being overlooked by our government.
Community providers of this vital, proven program now face disruptions due to the shutdown – an outcome which is counterproductive for two reasons: past experience demonstrates that government shutdowns actually cost the federal government more, and underfunding Meals on Wheels providers ultimately costs taxpayers far more in preventable health care and long-term care expenses.
Further, the threat of mass firings at federal agencies by the Office of Management and Budget adds insult to injury, heightening uncertainty and fear among Aging Network providers and the seniors they serve about disruptions in services and delivery. Nearly half of the staff at the Administration for Community Living – the department charged with overseeing the Older Americans Act, including the nutrition program – were already terminated earlier this year. At a time when need among seniors is skyrocketing, we cannot risk additional service interruptions from mass furloughs or, worse, firings.
Action by Congress and the administration is long overdue to address the worsening crises of senior hunger and isolation. As it currently stands, one in three local Meals on Wheels providers has a waitlist with seniors spending an average of four months waiting for vital meals and critical points of social connection. Federal funding has failed to keep pace with the growing need, leaving a significant and growing gap that philanthropy simply cannot fill – especially given that only 1% of philanthropic giving goes toward senior-focused causes. To make matters worse, the recent historic cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will intensify senior hunger and hardship, placing even greater strain on the senior nutrition providers that serve our aging neighbors.
Underscoring the powerful impact of Meals on Wheels services, it’s noteworthy that just yesterday, JAMA Network Open published an article underscoring that home-delivered meals funded through the Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program not only reduce hunger and malnutrition among older adults, but also provide significant health, social and financial benefits to both recipients and their caregivers.
Every day matters for America’s seniors – they need resources now and cannot wait for political battles to be resolved. Congress must not only take action to keep federal programs operating but must pass a funding package that invests in proven programs like Meals on Wheels that meet the needs of vulnerable older adults. For additional information on how to contact your members of Congress, head to mealsonwheelsamerica.org/ways-to-advocate/.
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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. This network serves virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million staff and volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. Through funding, leadership, 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 get involved in advocacy efforts, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
Press Contact: press@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 1,000 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 Contact: lborth@nanasp.org
