PROTECT FEDERAL FUNDING FOR MEALS ON WHEELS
SIGN THIS PETITION TO THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS TODAY
This month marks the 45th anniversary of the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program that provides more than a third of funding for Meals on Wheels programs across the country. In honor of this milestone and the current funding threats we face, we are calling on you to sign this petition to urge the President and Congress to protect critical funding for the Meals on Wheels programs that are working tirelessly day in and day out to provide nearly 218 million meals, either at home or in group settings, to more than 2.4 million seniors each year.
We will deliver your signatures on Friday, April 7 to the President and Members of Congress. For more information, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org. We thank you for your support.
Dear Mr. President and Congress,
We are at a critical juncture when both the need and demand for nutritious meals for our seniors is substantial and rapidly growing. We implore you to make the needs of our most vulnerable and isolated seniors a high priority because:
- One in 6 seniors (more than 10 million) struggles with hunger and 1 in 4 seniors (more than 15 million) lives alone in isolation.
- The need for senior nutrition services is severe and continues to grow. Stagnant funding means we serve millions fewer meals each year and waiting lists are mounting in every state.
- Meals on Wheels is a proven public-private partnership that provides an effective and unique service, designed specifically to meet the nutrition and wellness needs of seniors.
- Investing in Meals on Wheels actually saves taxpayer dollars. We can provide a senior with Meals on Wheels for an entire year for about the same cost as one day in the hospital or ten days in a nursing home.
Our nation can either invest a little in senior nutrition now, or spend much more on the negative consequences in increased healthcare costs later. Please protect federal funding supporting nutrition programs, such as Meal on Wheels.
About the Meals on Wheels Programs in Onondaga County:
Together the four Meals on Wheels Programs will provide more than 439,000 meals to 1,300
homebound seniors and disabled adults in 2016.
Meals on Wheels of Eastern Onondaga County serves Fayetteville, Manlius, Jamesville, Dewitt, Lafayette, Tully, Fabius, Pompey, and other areas of eastern of Onondaga County. 315-637-5446, www.fm-jdmealsonwheels.com
Kosher Meals on Wheels at Syracuse Jewish Family Service serves all of Onondaga County. 315-446-9111 ext: 256, www.sjfs.org
North Area Meals on Wheels serves North Syracuse, Cicero, Mattydale, Village of Liverpool, Clay and areas in Baldwinsville, Brewerton and Bridgeport. 315-452-1402, www.namow.org
Meals on Wheels of Syracuse serves the City of Syracuse, Nedrow, the Onondaga Nation, Skaneateles, Jordan and Elbridge. 315-478-5948, www.meals.org