In the middle of last month, West New York resident Brian Silvani ran out of food. Fifty-one years old and disabled, he called the local office of Meals on Wheels for help. To his surprise, the guidelines had changed for the local branch of the non-profit, federally funded organization. They said he was no longer eligible for assistance.
Recently, the local guidelines were revised to say that the program may not serve people younger than 60 years old. In the past, disabled residents could still get help.
Meals on Wheels programs that receive federal funding may not serve people less than 60 years old.
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“I was able to make it,” said Silvani. “But it’s hard. I hope I won’t have any problems this month. I’ve stocked up.”
Silvani, who receives Social Security, food stamps, Medicare, and Medicaid, said that the representative from Meals on Wheels did not offer another solution for someone in his situation.
The Meals On Wheels Association of America is the oldest and largest organization in the United States delivering meals to people in need. While Meals on Wheels is a national program, there are local branches, and each one operates differently from the other.
Programs can vary widely in their size, services, and funding. Qualification for local programs is often strictly limited to funds available within the often small service areas. In Hudson County, the Meals on Wheels program covers all of the North Hudson area including West New York, Union City, Hoboken, Weehawken, Guttenberg, and North Bergen. It is based in Union City.
The majority of Meals on Wheels clients are elderly and have a demonstrated medical need.
Fickle funding
Guidelines for the Meals on Wheels program are organized by the local Mayor’s Council, which receives federal funding.
Angelica Gonzalez, a community aide at the local Meals on Wheels, said that the program has always been a senior program, but disabled people were sometimes included at the agency’s own discretion.
When the state did an investigation at programs throughout New Jersey, they told the groups that only seniors over age 60 should be receiving the meals.
“We had to send a letter [to clients], and unfortunately we had to stop delivering,” said Gonzalez. She added that the state said they may develop another program specifically for disabled people, but that is only a tentative plan for the future.
According to the State of New Jersey website, New Jersey is receiving $2.2 million in nutrition funds for senior citizens as part of the federal recovery package. Various programs in New Jersey currently deliver 6 million meals to 63,000 seniors each year.
Over the next two years, New Jersey expects to be able to deliver more than 100,000 additional meals to thousands of seniors either at home or at nutrition sites, including community senior centers and subsidized housing.
Cuts in funding are still affecting services nationwide. For instance, in parts of Michigan, agencies are only accepting clients who have recently come home from the hospital or another medical care facility.
According to Mealcall.org, a senior meal program awareness site, many programs are at capacity and are limited in their ability to provide services.
Local organizations often seek additional sources of income such as business and personal donations, suggested contributions from recipients or recipient’s family, and other charitable organizations such as United Way. As with most non-profit organizations, Meals on Wheels programs are dependent not only on donations, but also volunteers. Inadequate funding and diminishing volunteer pools are combining at a time when the senior population in the United States is growing rapidly.
For more information on Meals on Wheels visit www.mowaa.org. To inquire about the local program call (201) 866-1113.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.