GRANDVILLE, Mich. — Preventing food insecurity for senior community members is becoming increasingly important for organizations like Meals on Wheels Western Michigan, as they said about 10,000 people turn 60 every day.
"There's one in six seniors who are impacted by hunger and as that number continues to grow, we think that the biggest numbers are still yet to come," said Ashley Diersch, Vice President of Community Impact.
The organization serves about 6,000 seniors in West Michigan each year.
Diersch said recent cuts in federal funding have reduced the funds for MOWWM. She said the cuts are equal to around 10,000 meals.
The Older Americans Act was passed in 1965 and is the main federal statute for delivering social and nutritional services for seniors, providing funding to organizations like MOWWM.
For the 2024 fiscal year, OAA funding was $2.472 billion, which is more than $6 million less than the 2023 fiscal year according to the Congressional Research Service.
"The Older Americans Act has been in play for a long time. The allotment of funds has changed for this past fiscal year. We are anticipating greater budget cuts for the coming fiscal year as well," said Diersch. "We're trying to plan and make sure that we're doing what we can to get out in front of it before it impacts us at a greater level."
One of those methods has been to re-brand and expand its commercial catering arm.
Now being branded as "More Than a Meal Catering," it includes new menu items and options, along with eco-friendly packaging and a new online ordering system to better streamline orders.
Diersch said the revenue from OAA goes towards their mission of seeing no senior hungry or forgotten. She said a meal brought to seniors in need does much more than keep them full.
"We provide that friendly face, that connection to community that is so important as you age," said Diersch. "Your social circle can sometimes shrink and this is one way where we can still make sure that we're having conversation, we're checking in on our seniors and in our community."
The MOWWM website has information about how to order from "More Than a Meal Catering" under the Get Involved tab, along with other ways to volunteer and donate.