Citymeals on Wheels is one of 5,000 independent meals on wheels programs across the country and currently serves 22,000 older adults across New York City.

As an organization that is primarily privately funded, Citymeals will not be heavily impacted by the administration’s suggested cuts. But it remains uncertain what the potential effects could be on other home-delivered meal providers.

"Funding cuts to federal nutrition programs for older Americans would have deadly consequences,” said Beth Shapiro, CEO of Citymeals on Wheels. “Citymeals stands ready to support our partners and deliver emergency meals to ensure an uninterrupted lifeline of meals for older New Yorkers. The fear and insecurity among this vulnerable population is real, and organizations like ours will become even more essential as a result of any cuts in funding.”

The memo from the Office of Management and Budget is unclear as to whether the pause applies to funds that are dispersed to states, such as Older Americans Act Nutrition Program funding, which prioritizes older adults with the greatest economic and social need aged 60 and older. Almost 37% of all funding for meals on wheels programs nationwide comes from the Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III-C Nutrition Program. 

Citymeals on Wheels fills the gaps in the city-funded home-delivered meal program for older adults. This gap is already too large, and any cuts in funding will increase hunger among an already vulnerable population.

As a designated emergency responder, Citymeals on Wheels’ priority is to ensure older New Yorkers have access to nutritious food. We are ready to meet the need and provide emergency meals for other providers in New York City.

Citymeals conducted research earlier this year that showed 65% of the older adults surveyed are living on less than $15,000 a year. They are already making tough decisions about paying for groceries, rent or prescriptions and any cut in funding would have deeply negative effect on their well-being.