HHS Secretary Kennedy Delivers Meals on Wheels to Witness Impact on Seniors Firsthand

ARLINGTON, Va., June 10, 2025 – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. visited Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland yesterday to meet with national and local Meals on Wheels leadership and participate in a meal delivery. The visit comes on the heels of Older Americans Month (May), when Meals on Wheels America – the national leadership organization that supports the nationwide network of community-based Meals on Wheels providers – issued an open invitation for members of Congress and the administration to witness the impact of Meals on Wheels firsthand. Secretary Kennedy was joined by Stefanie Spear, principal deputy chief of staff / senior counselor to the secretary, Mary Lazare, principal deputy administrator at the Administration for Community Living, Ellie Hollander, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels America, Stephanie Archer-Smith, executive director and CEO of Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland and other leaders from HHS.

“Senior hunger and malnutrition are national crises that impact older adults throughout the country,” said Hollander. “With 13 million seniors experiencing or at risk of hunger, it is critical that we don’t leave our aging neighbors behind. Meals on Wheels already exists in nearly every community, but the network simply does not have sufficient funding to reach all older adults in need, which has led to mounting nationwide waiting lists. We were encouraged that Secretary Kennedy had this on-the-ground experience and was inspired to express his strong support for the value of Meals on Wheels and the importance of prioritizing the needs of older Americans.”

This visit offered Secretary Kennedy a direct look at the essential, life-sustaining role that Meals on Wheels plays for our aging neighbors. During the visit, Hollander emphasized that Meals on Wheels has been helping seniors to be healthier for more than 50 years and emphasized that seniors’ health must be a priority. Meals on Wheels services and the broader aging network are an important part of the larger health care system in our nation and help save lives and taxpayer dollars. Meals on Wheels can support a senior for an entire year for roughly the same cost as ten days in a long-term care facility or a single day in the hospital.

“We are grateful that Secretary Kennedy took the time to visit our program, deliver meals and see the lasting impact we make every day in Central Maryland,” said Stephanie Archer-Smith. “This visit comes at a critical time. Without increased resources, many local providers like us face the difficult reality of being forced to reduce services, expand waitlists or turn away seniors who need our help. We need more resources to serve all seniors who are in need. In fact, we currently have 50 Marylanders on a waitlist to receive services. Together, we can end the wait.”

“History will judge the humanity of our civilization by how we care for our elderly,” said Secretary Kennedy. “Meals on Wheels does not just provide nutrition for the malnourished; it combats the epidemic of loneliness through daily acts of care and compassion. President Trump has asked us at HHS to continue supporting Meals on Wheels so that no American in their twilight years feels forgotten.”

Meals on Wheels America invites all members of Congress and the administration to experience the powerful impact that Meals on Wheels services make in the lives of seniors, helping them to age with independence and dignity in their own homes — where they want to be. To learn more about the meaningful difference Meals on Wheels makes, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

###

About Meals on Wheels Central Maryland

Our charitable mission, to enable people to live independently at home through the provision of nutritious meals, personal contact and related services, helps the aging and disabled sustain their optimum health, maintain economic stability, and improve their overall quality of life. Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland (MOWCM) is one of the largest and oldest continuously operating, non-profit, home-delivered meal programs in the United States. By helping clients remain living independently in their homes, MOWCM supports their continued integration in the social fabric of the community, prevents costly premature institutionalization, and allows them to age in their communities safely and with dignity. https://mealsonwheelsmd.org/.

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.

Contact:
Caitlin Hogge
chogge@hunterpr.com
908-577-0763