Meals on Wheels America and NANASP Issue Statement on Partial Government Shutdown

ARLINGTON, Va., February 2, 2026 – Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander and National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP) Executive Director Bob Blancato today issued the following statement regarding the partial government shutdown:

It is deeply troubling that Congress was not able to avert a partial shutdown and pass the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) appropriations bill that funds the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program.

Community-based senior nutrition programs rely heavily on federal funding and operate on razor thin margins. They’re still reeling from the previous shutdown, when a third of surveyed Meals on Wheels providers reported that they could not maintain services for a month without federal funding. Over the course of the historically long 43-day shutdown, local providers in communities across the country reported delays in receiving reimbursements for services already delivered, causing a severe financial strain and putting in harm’s way hundreds of thousands of vulnerable aging neighbors who rely on nutrition services as a lifeline. They cannot afford to endure this again.

While we recognize the complex circumstances behind the shutdown, we urge Congress to come together to pass the Labor-HHS appropriations bill separate from the Homeland Security bill. Separate passage of Labor-HHS funding will help ensure seniors across the country aren’t left worrying where their next meal will come from. To learn how you can advocate for the seniors in your area, head to: https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/email-congress/.

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ABOUT MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA
Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting approximately 5,000 community-based providers across the country 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. Through public awareness, funding, programming, education, research and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers local providers to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. At a time when demand for Meals on Wheels services is growing, and many seniors are left waiting, Meals on Wheels America is dedicated to helping End the Wait™ and ensuring every senior who needs Meals on Wheels gets it. For more information, or to locate a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org. You can also find Meals on Wheels America on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, Bluesky, TikTok and X.

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