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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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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