The #SaveLunch Initiative: Protecting Meals on Wheels for Older Adults and Taxpayer Dollars
In the midst of a bustling fall season, as Congress gears up for an intense funding battle, there is a crucial initiative that demands our attention and action - the #SaveLunch awareness and advocacy campaign. At its heart, this movement seeks to safeguard programs like Meals on Wheels of Loveland and Berthoud, and the well-being of the older adults we serve. The reason? The potential repercussions of inadequate federal funding in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 could be nothing short of devastating.
Congress, with its “power of the purse”, holds the responsibility of negotiating, setting, and passing final funding levels for FY 2024 or a short-term stopgap bill by September 30th to prevent a government shutdown. Anticipating a protracted battle extending through the end of the year, Meals on Wheels America has initiated the #SaveLunch campaign, a powerful call to action for all of us who believe in the vital importance of these programs.
Meals on Wheels America has launched the #SaveLunch awareness campaign to encourage our elected officials to #SaveLunch for those who need it most.
THE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY OF MEALS ON WHEELS
So, why is this campaign so critical?
The answer lies in the profound impact Meals on Wheels has on our nation’s communities and the older adults they serve. Programs like Meals on Wheels of Loveland and Berthoud provide a lot more than just a meal - they offer a lifeline, companionship, and a sense of belonging to those homebound and older adults who are isolated and vulnerable. For many homebound and older adults, the friendly face delivering a meal is often their only human interaction of the day. The benefits of these visits extend beyond nourishment - they touch upon the recipient’s mental and emotional well-being.
But the significance of Meals on Wheels doesn’t stop there. It’s not just about enriching lives - it’s also about responsible fiscal stewardship. Meals on Wheels programs are a perfect example of how investing in preventative and supportive services can save taxpayer dollars in the long run.
the economics of meals on wheels
Numerous studies like the comprehensive and recently released “The Case for Meals on Wheels: An Evidence-Based Solution to Senior Hunger and Isolation” (Sept 2023), have demonstrated that providing homebound and older adults with nutritious meals and regular social interactions through delivery programs like Meals on Wheels of Loveland and Berthoud, can have a significant impact on their health and well-being. The research demonstrates that Meals on Wheels programs are effective in reducing healthcare utilization, preventing nursing home admissions, and generating substantial healthcare cost savings. Here’s how it works:
Reduced Healthcare Costs: By ensuring that older and homebound adults receive regular, nutritious meals, Meals on Wheels helps to prevent malnutrition and diet-related health issues. This proactive approach has been found to reduce the need for costly medical interventions and hospitalizations.
Promoting Independent Living: Meals on Wheels allows older adults to age in place - maintaining their independence and staying out of costly institutional care settings like nursing homes. This not only enhances their quality of life but also reduces the financial burden on healthcare systems.
Improving Food Security: Meals on Wheels plays a pivotal role in enhancing food security for recipients. Accessing nutritious meals can be a daily hurdle for many who may struggle with limited mobility, fixed incomes, or other challenges. Meals on Wheels helps by delivering regular, well-balanced meals directly to their doorsteps, ensuring recipients have access to the healthy nourishment they need while also alleviating concerns about food scarcity or inadequate nutrition. Addressing these concerns contributes to overall health and enables older adults to age in place instead of using expensive alternatives.
Community and Social Support: The social interactions provided by Meals on Wheels volunteers help combat loneliness and depression among homebound and isolated older adults, reducing the likelihood of mental health issues that often lead to increased healthcare costs.
Nutrition and Medication Adherence: Regular meal deliveries ensure that older adults not only receive food but also a daily wellness check. This can help identify health issues early and ensure that recipients adhere to their prescribed medications, reducing further health complications.
“You get to know the people on your route...you can tell just from talking to them for a few minutes whether they’re doing well or not doing well.”
In essence, Meals on Wheels is an investment in healthy aging, saving taxpayer dollars by preventing costly crises and enabling our aging neighbors to remain active, independent members of our communities.
TAKE ACTION TODAY
The #SaveLunch awareness and advocacy campaign is a rallying cry - an opportunity for every concerned citizen to stand up and be counted. It’s a call to engage with our Members of Congress, ensuring they are fully aware of the amazing impact Meals on Wheels programs have on our communities each day - both in terms of human well-being (quality of life) and fiscal responsibility.
What can you do to make a difference?
Email your Senators and Representatives and urge them to increase funding for our programs and to #SaveLunch for the individuals we serve. If Congress does not pass annual funding bills by September 30, we face a government shutdown, putting the life-saving service millions of American older Adults rely on in danger.
Meals on Wheels America has made this step quick and easy. Use the link below to compose your message. Help us flood the inboxes of our elected officials, calling on them to protect and increase funding for the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program.
Meals on Wheels of Loveland and Berthoud is encouraging staff and volunteers to write notes to Congress on paper plates. These notes will share what Meals on Wheels means to them and why it should be protected. The plates will be delivered directly to our Members of Congress in October to make a powerful and compelling statement.
Speak out and Share on Social Media. You can join the national conversation on social media by sharing our #SaveLunch posts. Use the hashtag and tag our Members of Congress to spread our message even further.
The #SaveLunch station in the Meals on Wheels of Loveland and Berthoud lobby.
Together, we have the power to urge Congress to #SaveLunch for our aging neighbors in need who rely on Meals on Wheels as a lifeline and to recognize the smart fiscal decision that it represents. Our collective efforts can make a difference in securing the resources we need to continue to provide these essential services and to ensure that no older adult is left hungry or behind.
For questions about this initiative and to keep us updated on your efforts, contact us at:
carrie@lovelandmealsonwheels.org
Together, we can make a difference and help #SaveLunch for those who need it most!