Why Meals on Wheels is too important to allow to go flat

At Family Service Rochester, we work every day with seniors who rely on meals delivered to their homes or shared in community dining settings. These services are not extras. They are lifelines. They provide essential nutrition, human connection, and the simple dignity of knowing someone cares.

We appreciate the recent reporting in the Post Bulletin (Matthew Stolle, “Meals on Wheels faces cutbacks, tens of thousands of fewer meals served in Southeast Minnesota,” Post Bulletin, June 27, 2025) calling attention to the impact of reduced funding for senior nutrition services. These reductions carry direct, life-altering consequences for our most vulnerable neighbors.

By 2030, nearly one in five residents of Olmsted County will be over 65. Many live alone, on fixed incomes, and with limited transportation. For many, cooking a healthy meal is no longer possible. Some cannot shop for groceries. Some cannot safely use a stove. For these individuals, home-delivered meals are not a convenience; they are a necessity.

Meal delivery is not just about nutrition. It is also about prevention, safety, and peace of mind. Volunteers who deliver meals provide regular, informal wellness checks.

Cutting back on these services will have serious, long-term consequences. Research has consistently shown that food insecurity among older and elder adults is linked to increased hospitalization, delayed recovery, and greater risk of institutionalization. The cost of one day in a hospital or nursing facility far exceeds the cost of a week — or even a month — of delivered meals.

Reductions in meal services also amplify isolation and depression. These programs help combat loneliness by offering routine interaction, opportunities for community dining, and a reminder to older and elder adults that they are seen, valued and cared-for.

Senior nutrition is a critical priority. Funding for these programs should be restored and expanded to meet rising needs. We urge policymakers to protect and grow support for services that keep older and elder adults safe in their homes.
But this is not just a government issue. It is a community one. If you can deliver meals, volunteer. If you can give, donate to programs that serve older adults. If you have influence, use it to push for policy that ensures no senior is left hungry or alone.

Family Service Rochester remains committed to serving older and elder adults with the dignity and care they deserve. Please join us in continuing to advocate for the restoration and expansion of senior nutrition services.

reprinted from Post Bulletin July 12, 2025 https://www.postbulletin.com/opinion/columns/scott-maloney-why-meals-on-wheels-is-too-important-to-allow-to-go-flat