Along with our fellow Meals on Wheels and senior care providers around the country, VNA is deeply concerned about the 2025 budget cuts to SNAP and the government shutdown threatening a pause on SNAP benefits beginning November 1st. With 3.5 million Texans potentially losing benefits, these measures are likely to worsen senior hunger and hardship, increase strain on the services we currently provide, and lead to longer waitlists for services. Restrictions on SNAP and other vital programs will push more older adults into food insecurity and isolation, increasing the demand for Meals on Wheels while making it harder for local providers to meet that need with fewer resources. We join partners, Meals on Wheels America and Meals on Wheels of Texas, in advocating for lawmakers to reject proposed cuts and prioritize the needs of seniors.
Impact of the cuts on seniors and Meals on Wheels
- Increased hunger and hardship: Cuts to SNAP will likely force more seniors into food insecurity, increasing the number of people who need assistance from programs like Meals on Wheels.
- Greater strain on providers: Local Meals on Wheels programs already face challenges like waitlists and funding shortfalls. Reduced federal funding for other programs will only exacerbate these problems, potentially forcing providers to serve fewer people or cut programs.
- More expensive healthcare: Restricting access to programs like SNAP and Medicaid will cause real harm to seniors and will likely lead to increased demand for more expensive healthcare services, costing more in the long run.
- Worsening isolation: Meals on Wheels provides not just meals but also crucial social contact. Cuts to programs providing food assistance and wellness checks will likely reduce this vital interaction, increasing the social isolation that many seniors face.
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 continue to invest in proven programs like Meals on Wheels that meet the needs of vulnerable older adults. Here’s how you can help vulnerable senior neighbors:
- Give – It costs $7.77 to deliver a hot meal, friendly smile, and safety check to a senior neighbor – visit www.vnatexas.org/give
- Volunteer – For every route delivered by a volunteer, VNA can feed a senior for a week. It is simple – more volunteers help us feed more seniors. Sign up at volunteer.vnatexas.org
- Advocate – To contact your members of Congress, head to mealsonwheelsamerica.org/ways-to-advocate/.