March 18, 2009

RI to Receive $485K in Federal Aid for Senior Nutrition Assistance

Washington, DC – With rising food costs and the economic downturn increasing demand for senior nutrition services, Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation today announced the state will receive a $485,000 boost for senior nutrition programs under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The federal funds will provide meals to seniors in need of food and restore nutrition services that have been cut.

“No one should ever go hungry and this $485,000 in additional federal assistance will provide healthy, nutritious meals to eligible seniors. Many of our seniors are particularly vulnerable because they are on fixedincomes and rely on others to help get them something to eat. This funding will help local agencies throughout the state address the growing need for these critical services and help more seniors get a hot meal,” said the Delegation in a joint statement.

In Rhode Island, the waiting list for Meals-on-Wheels has grown to150 eligible seniors, and this money will help reduce the number of people on the waiting list to 60.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which all four members of Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation supported, includes $100 million for programs nationwide that serve meals to senior citizens in need. All told, the programs will provide 14 million meals nationwide over the next two fiscal years.

Through the ARRA, $65 million is designated or Congregate Nutrition Services provided at senior centers and other community sites; $32 million for Home Delivered Nutrition Services delivered to frail elders at home; and $3 million for Native American Nutrition Programs. Rhode Island’s federal funding will be:

Population Basis Population % Congregate Nutrition Home-Delivered Nutrition Total
Rhode Island 199,840 2.0059% $325,000 $160,000 $485,000

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Press Contact

Meaghan McCabe, (202) 224-2921
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