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June 05, 2008

Skyrocketing Gas and Food Prices Put Hungry Seniors at Greater Risk

A survey of Meals On Wheels programs in all 50 states, conducted by the Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) between May 22 and May 30, paints a graphic and disturbing picture of the serious impact that skyrocketing gas and food prices are having on Senior Nutrition Programs— and the frail, vulnerable homebound seniors they serve— in communities across America. National trends are also affecting the Meals On Wheels program serving seniors in Ada and Elmore counties.

A majority (58%) of Meals On Wheels programs responding reported that they had lost volunteers due to gas prices. These programs have traditionally relied on hundreds of thousands of volunteers each day to make meal deliveries to the homes of clients and to check in on these isolated individuals. Locally the Meals On Wheels program has lost five volunteer drivers in just the last week due to higher gas prices.

This loss of manpower from the volunteer workforce has had deleterious consequences for the operation of many Meals On Wheels programs. For example, nearly half (48.3%) of the programs responding indicated that increases in gas prices had forced them to eliminate meal delivery routes or to consolidate their meal services. Although the manner in which these changes are implemented differed from program to program and community to community, one fact remains the same. Already-vulnerable seniors, who rely on Meals On Wheels for meals and other life-sustaining nutritional support, are being put at even greater risk of hunger, poor health and nutritional status, and even loss of life.

In describing how they are coping with increased food and gas prices, well over one third (38.2%) of the Meals On Wheels programs reported a change in the type of meals served. One commonly-cited change was movement away from hot, freshly prepared meals to frozen meals. This shift went hand-in-hand with another cost-cutting measure, namely a reduction in the frequency of delivery of meals (30.2%). Some Meals On Wheels programs that have routinely delivered one hot meal per day, five days per week, are finding it necessary to make a single delivery per week consisting of one hot meal and four frozen meals. Others have eliminated the hot meal entirely.

“It is almost impossible to overstate the seriousness of the situation,” said Angela Spain, Program Manager for Senior Nutrition at the Central District Health Department. “Our food costs have increased dramatically over the past six months, forcing us to make critical decisions about the meals we serve our seniors. They will still get a well-rounded nutritious meal that meets program requirements, but extras like desserts and salads may need to be eliminated to cut costs.”

Currently seniors are asked to make a $3.00 donation for each meal they receive. The average donation is a little more than a dollar. But the cost of producing and delivering that meal, even with volunteer drivers, has for the first time topped $6.00, forcing the program to ask for a bigger donation from the seniors it serves. As of July 1, 2008, the suggested donation amount will increase to $4.00, the first such increase in six years.

Also of concern to Spain and senior nutrition program managers around the country are the health and welfare issues facing the seniors they serve. Locally the slogan for Meals On Wheels has been ‘much more than a meal,’ a reference to the daily visit by volunteer drivers who check in on the seniors on their routes.

Nationwide, more than one fifth (21.8%) of the programs responded that they were actually forced to reduce the number of meals that they served and well over a third (38.2%) had to resort to reducing the number of clients the program could accept.

Meals On Wheels has been an important part of the lives of homebound seniors in this area since 1974,” Spain recalled, “We’ve never had to turn anyone wanting meals away. But higher food and gas prices may force us to consider the possibility of creating a waiting list.”

Funding for the Meals On Wheels program in Ada and Elmore counties is a balance of federal, state and county monies, donations from the seniors, fund raising events, like the Culinary Walk-About, and donations from the public. The rest comes from health district general funds.

“It’s getting increasingly difficult for us to meet our mission.” Spain said. “Most of our seniors are living on fixed incomes and are already contributing all they can, and a dollar is about what they can afford.”

MOWAA and member programs acknowledge that a solution to the problem is complex and not likely to occur overnight. And while no single entity has the power to devise the whole solution, MOWAA is calling on Congress to increase funding for Senior Nutrition programs by at least 10% over current year expenditures.

“It is a national problem and solving it should be a national priority,” declared Enid A. Borden, President and CEO of MOWAA. “Even that won’t be sufficient and the communities that have always supported these programs need to contribute as well. New volunteers and donations are always needed at the local level. So today we are calling on all Americans to pitch in.”

The Meals On Wheels Association of America is the oldest and largest national organization in the United States representing those programs that provide meals to people in need. To obtain more information about MOWAA or to locate a local Meals On Wheels program, visit the MOWAA website.

The Meals On Wheels program of Ada and Elmore counties serves over 600 homebound seniors every day with hot, nutritious meals and daily welfare checks. To become a volunteer driver or make a donation to the Meals On Wheels call 327-7460. And you can learn more at the Central District Health Department website.