Sun Sep 15 09:30:00 UTC 2024: ## Local Office on Aging Faces Funding Shortfall, Cuts Meals on Wheels Service

**ROANOKE, VA** – The Local Office on Aging (LOA) is facing a financial crunch that has forced them to reduce the number of seniors served by their Meals on Wheels program. Despite a successful Let’s Give Lunch fundraiser in June, the LOA is still short $50,000 due to the expiration of pandemic stimulus funding.

The LOA, which administers the Meals on Wheels program in the Roanoke Valley, had relied on federal and state funds, along with a network of volunteers, to provide nutritious meals to hundreds of income-strapped seniors. However, the loss of stimulus funding has left the agency struggling to meet its expenses.

As a result, the LOA was forced to reduce its daily client list from 525 to 475. While no seniors were removed from the program, 35 qualifying individuals now find themselves on a waiting list. This comes at a time when the cost of food, a major expense for Meals on Wheels, has risen by 25% due to inflation.

“All the extra COVID funding is gone,” said Ron Boyd, LOA Executive Director. “During those years we actually increased the number of people we were serving.”

The LOA is now working to reduce overhead expenses and hopes to increase the daily client load to 500. However, the agency is still facing a significant challenge in meeting the needs of all qualifying seniors.

Meals on Wheels plays a crucial role in preventing seniors from being hospitalized or needing nursing home care, which cost taxpayers significantly more than the program’s daily expenses. The Meals on Wheels Association of America estimates that every dollar spent on senior nutrition programs saves up to $50 in hospital and nursing home costs.

The LOA is encouraging community members to contribute to the program. Donations can be made online or by mail, and all contributions are tax-deductible. The LOA also relies heavily on volunteers to deliver meals, providing a vital lifeline of human interaction for many isolated seniors.

“Would you like to spend $1 so that taxpayers can later save $50?” Boyd asked. “That’s the magnitude we’re talking.”

To support Meals on Wheels and help the LOA reach more seniors in need, visit loaa.org to donate or volunteer.

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