Arlington, VA – March 10, 2023 – 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 in response to the release of the
President’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget, which highlights the Administration’s priorities for the coming year:
We want to commend the President and the Administration for proposing an increase of $218 million for the Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Budget, for a total of $1.3 billion. This budget would begin to deliver on the National Strategy to end hunger and diet-related diseases by 2030 that the President laid out at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. As representatives of the nationwide network of senior nutrition programs, both congregate and home-delivered, we know firsthand the vital role that senior nutrition programs across the country play in combating senior hunger, malnutrition and isolation.
Millions of older adults and caregivers have long relied on the critical aging and nutrition services delivered by the OAA to remain healthier and independent at home, averting more expensive healthcare alternatives. This recommended investment, as well as others focused on food security, represents progress and continued commitment to meeting the nutritional needs of our nation’s most vulnerable seniors and ultimately creates long-term fiscal savings.
The OAA Nutrition Program has been the bedrock of federal support for older adults for over 50 years. Today, more funding is necessary for local programs to meet the growing need and navigate current operational challenges, driven largely by the high costs of food and gas. We are committed to working with Congress throughout the FY 2024 appropriations process to ensure the proposed investments in this successful public-private partnership come to fruition.
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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 find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.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 1,110 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 Contacts:
Jenny Young
Meals on Wheels America
571-339-1603
jenny@mealsonwheelsamerica.org
Meredith Whitmore
NANASP
202-789-0470
mwhitmire@nanasp.org