Meals on Wheels says federal funding cuts mean less food for seniors

GRANDVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) — Seniors in West Michigan may see fewer meal deliveries because of federal funding cuts, Meals on Wheels says — and it says additional cuts could happen next year, too.

Lisa Wideman, the president and CEO of Meals on Wheels Western Michigan, said the U.S. House Appropriations Committee cut $8 million from senior nutrition programs for this fiscal year, which is directly impacting the nonprofit’s funding. On Wednesday, the committee approved the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education funding bill for the next fiscal year. Meals on Wheels said it would lose around $37 million under that spending plan, which has not yet been finalized.

Wideman said the bill is cutting $80,000 from Meals on Wheels Western Michigan specifically.

“It’s pretty rough, it’s very sad and there’s even more cuts on the horizon for FY25 for our programs, and when I see that, my heart really goes down,” Wideman said. “I can’t think about it, but I have to think that there might be a reality of a waiting list in our future.”

Supported by donations, the organization currently delivers about 500,000 meals annually to seniors in Kent and Allegan counties. It’s free, though seniors are asked to donate. Wideman said they are cutting around 17,000 meals, plus cold meals as a second option, this year due to the budget cuts.

“It may not sound like a big chunk, but if you are the person that is receiving the reductions, it is a very real and very difficult road for them going forward,” Wideman said.

Meals on Wheels is trying to raise money — including through its catering arm, More Than a Meal Catering , the proceeds of which support free meals — to fill out its budget.

Wideman said that she is trying to reach out to lawmakers to understand why the cuts were made.

“I hope for the future that the elected officials will understand the impact of what has happened here and what’s going to happen if it continues throughout the aging network,” Wideman said.

When asked for a statement, U.S. Rep John Moolenaar, R-Caledonia, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, blamed inflation for Meals on Wheels’ reduced service.

“Under President (Joe) Biden, the price of groceries has increased more than 20%, hurting Michigan seniors. The legislation I support funds Meals on Wheels with the same amount of money it received in 2023 so it can continue to serve residents,” a statement from Moolenaar said. “Hopefully organizations will look at their budgets and make sure they are wisely using every dollar they receive to help Michiganders.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.