Operation Pathways has secured a 2026 Thome Aging Well Grant to launch its Strengthening Food Access for Older Adults initiative in Baltimore, Maryland. The organization is among 24 nonprofit groups in Maryland and Michigan collectively receiving $3.8 million to help lower-income older adults remain safely and independently in their homes while aging with dignity.

A subsidiary of The NHP Foundation, Operation Pathways delivers on-site resident services at 33 affordable housing communities across 10 states and the District of Columbia. Its programs are designed to support seniors, families, and individuals in achieving greater stability, health, and long-term well-being.

For older residents, these on-site services play a vital role in helping them age in place by reducing social isolation, strengthening housing stability, and connecting them with essential resources. In Maryland alone, more than 45,000 older adults experience food insecurity due to fixed incomes, increasing living expenses, limited access to grocery stores, and transportation barriers.

Through the new grant, Resident Services Coordinators at The Bolton North Apartments and The Terraces at Park Heights in Baltimore will expand initiatives aimed at improving food access for seniors. Planned efforts include enhanced enrollment and renewal assistance for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), expanded food pantry services and home-delivered food boxes, and community-led shared meals that encourage social engagement among residents.

Established in 2022 by Enterprise Community Partners with support from the Edward N. and Della L. Thome Memorial Foundation, administered by Bank of America as trustee, the Thome Aging Well program follows a trust-based philanthropy model. This approach empowers local organizations to respond quickly and effectively to the specific needs of the communities they serve.

Stephany De Scisciolo, Enterprise's Vice President of Impact, Evaluation and Population Health, emphasized that the funding provides community organizations with the flexibility to tailor solutions to local challenges. She noted that entrusting resources to experienced, community-based partners helps maximize the program's impact by enabling older adults to continue living safely and comfortably in the neighborhoods they call home.

Since its inception, the Thome Aging Well initiative has distributed more than $23 million to 66 community, government, and tribal organizations. The program has benefited over 14,000 older adults through home modifications that support aging in place, workforce development and training, preventive health services, food access and delivery programs, and a broad range of additional support services.

Meals on Wheels America has unveiled MeMaw Is Waiting, a nationwide advocacy campaign designed to draw attention to the growing challenges faced by older Americans and the community organizations that provide Meals on Wheels services. With nearly 14 million seniors experiencing food insecurity, rising operating expenses and reductions in critical senior assistance programs are driving demand for meal delivery services to unprecedented levels.

A major factor behind the crisis is the persistent underfunding of federal senior nutrition initiatives. Most Meals on Wheels providers depend heavily on the Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program, which supports the delivery of nutritious meals while also helping combat isolation through regular social interaction. However, funding has not kept pace with increasing demand, leaving many older adults without access to essential services.

Through the MeMaw Is Waiting campaign, Meals on Wheels America aims to spotlight the growing number of seniors left waiting for assistance because of limited federal resources. Budget constraints have forced local providers to make difficult decisions, including reducing meal delivery routes, suspending services, creating or expanding waiting lists, cutting delivery schedules or, in some cases, shutting down operations altogether. Approximately 90% of Meals on Wheels providers receive federal funding, and for 60% of them, it accounts for at least half of their operating budget.

The campaign also encourages grassroots action by urging citizens to contact their congressional representatives in support of stronger federal investment. As lawmakers prepare the FY 2027 appropriations budget, Meals on Wheels America is requesting an increase in funding for the OAA Nutrition Program (Title III-C) from the current $1.059 billion to $2.285 billion. According to the organization, the additional funding would help sustain services for the 2.6 million seniors currently assisted each year while extending support to another 2.5 million low-income, food-insecure older adults who remain underserved.

Explaining the initiative, Ellie Hollander, President and Chief Executive Officer of Meals on Wheels America, said the campaign is intended to remind people that every statistic represents a real individual. She emphasized that when local providers are overwhelmed by limited resources, it is grandparents, relatives and other elderly loved ones who bear the consequences, underscoring the urgent need for action.

Meals on Wheels America also argues that increasing investment in senior nutrition programs is not only compassionate but also economically prudent. The organization points to the significant healthcare costs associated with preventable issues affecting older adults, including falls, social isolation and food insecurity. By providing regular meals, wellness checks and social engagement, Meals on Wheels helps reduce emergency room visits, hospital admissions and readmissions, while enabling more seniors to remain safely in their homes instead of requiring long-term institutional care.

The campaign concludes with a call for public support, urging Americans to encourage Congress to increase funding for Meals on Wheels and help eliminate waiting lists so that more seniors can receive the meals, care and companionship they need.

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Gold Coast Health Plan (GCHP) is commemorating 15 years of delivering coordinated healthcare services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries in Ventura County.

GCHP began operations on July 1, 2011, as California's sixth County Organized Health System, initially providing managed care services to approximately 100,000 Medi-Cal recipients through a network of primary care physicians, specialists, behavioral health professionals, and hospitals. As Medi-Cal eligibility expanded over the years, GCHP's membership more than doubled, reaching a peak of nearly 255,000 enrollees. Correspondingly, the organization's workforce grew significantly, expanding from 25 employees to more than 400.

"Today, we recognize and celebrate our employees, healthcare providers, and community partners who remain committed to supporting our members throughout every stage of their healthcare journey," said Dr. Felix Nuñez, chief executive officer of GCHP. "Although the healthcare landscape continues to evolve rapidly and presents ongoing challenges, our team and partners have remained steadfast in our mission to deliver high-quality care and services to our members."

Over the past 15 years, GCHP has experienced sustained growth while increasing its impact throughout Ventura County. According to annual quality assessments conducted by the California Department of Health Care Services for Medi-Cal managed care plans, GCHP has consistently ranked among the state's highest-performing health plans in recent years for improving access to preventive health screenings and immunizations.

In keeping with industry standards and best practices, GCHP achieved dual accreditation last year. The organization earned Health Equity Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) in recognition of its efforts to understand and address the diverse healthcare needs of its members. It also received NCQA Health Plan Accreditation, reflecting its commitment to quality measurement and continuous improvement.

In 2025, GCHP expanded its offerings by launching Total Care Advantage (HMO D-SNP), a program designed to integrate Medi-Cal and Medicare benefits for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities residing in Ventura County.

Throughout its history, GCHP has supported healthcare providers and community organizations through grants, scholarships, and sponsorship initiatives aimed at expanding access to care and strengthening community resources. Over the past two years alone, its Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability & Equity (RISE) grant program has distributed more than $13 million to local clinics, hospitals, and community organizations to enhance services for Medi-Cal members.

"Our partnerships with healthcare providers and community organizations have played a critical role in improving access to care and health outcomes for the communities we serve," Nuñez said.

"The meaningful progress we've achieved together over the years is truly something to celebrate."

Duke Energy has launched a new campaign to promote $200,000 in grant funding for South Carolina organizations that provide services and support to the state’s aging population, especially those facing financial difficulties.

“Nonprofits serving South Carolina’s low-income seniors have reported increased demand for their services in recent years,” said Tim Pearson, Duke Energy’s South Carolina state president. “With an aging population living longer and the rising cost of living, it’s crucial that we ensure seniors, who have contributed so much to our communities, have the resources they need to enjoy their later years with dignity.”

Eligible nonprofits assisting low-income seniors can apply for one-time grants of up to $10,000 through the Duke Energy Foundation to support general operating expenses. These funds cannot be used for weatherization or utility assistance, but can support services such as home-delivered meals, transportation, home modifications, and other programs aimed at maintaining seniors’ safety and independence.

This funding is available exclusively to nonprofit organizations, not individuals. Organizations interested in applying can find more details and submit applications at duke-energy.com/SeniorAssistance. The deadline for applications is January 28.

This initiative builds on previous efforts by the Duke Energy Foundation to support organizations that aid seniors in the state. In 2023, the foundation awarded grants of up to $20,000 to 15 qualifying nonprofits to fund home repairs that help seniors remain in their homes. In 2024, an additional $100,000 in grants was given to 13 organizations with programs providing home ramps for low-income seniors and those with disabilities.

“The response to our past grant announcements has been overwhelming, revealing the vast and diverse needs of these organizations,” said Amanda Dow, director of the Duke Energy Foundation in South Carolina. “We’ve learned that these organizations offer a wide range of essential services, all of which require funding. That’s why this new program is focused on supporting general operations, allowing these organizations to quickly direct funds where they are most needed.”

Many of the seniors who benefit from these programs also face challenges in covering other household expenses, including their electricity bills.

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