IT’S 633, AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS HERE IN THE SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY THAT RELY ON FEDERAL FUNDING. AND THE RECENT CUTS ANNOUNCED BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION COULD IMPACT THEM. NEWS EIGHT’S GABRIELLE THOMAS LIVE AT MEALS ON WHEELS IN LANCASTER COUNTY WITH WHAT THE CUTS COULD MEAN FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ORGANIZATION SERVES. GOOD MORNING, GABRIELLE. GOOD MORNING, REGINA AND KAITLIN. STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS HERE AT MEALS ON WHEELS ARRIVED BETWEEN 5 AND 6 TO GET THOSE MEALS READY TO GIVE OUT TO SENIORS HERE IN THE LANCASTER COMMUNITY. TAKE A LOOK. YOU CAN SEE HERE THEY’RE PREPARING CHICKEN PARMESAN. THEY HAVE SOME PASTA AND ALL THIS WILL BE GOING OUT IN A FEW HOURS. NOW, KEEP IN MIND THAT MEALS ON WHEELS RECEIVES A BLEND OF FUNDING THROUGH LANCASTER COUNTY OFFICE OF AGING, WHICH IS ABOUT 37% OF THEIR BUDGET. THE GROUP PROVIDES MEALS FOR SENIORS WHO ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE MEALS FOR THEMSELVES AND THOSE WITH DISABILITIES. LAST YEAR ALONE, THEY SERVED MORE THAN 240,000 MEALS, BUT IT’S MADE ITS. HOWEVER, RISING FOOD COSTS HAVE MADE IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO CONTINUE MEETING THE COMMUNITY’S NEEDS. NOW, SINCE 2020, THE ORGANIZATION’S COSTS HAVE GONE UP BY 28% DUE TO INFLATION AND RISING PRICES. THAT MEANS THEY’RE LOSING ABOUT $2.30 ON EVERY MEAL THEY’RE SERVING. AND WITH AROUND 900 MEALS GOING OUT EACH DAY, IT ADDS UP. MEALS ON WHEELS SAYS IF THE FEDERAL FUNDING IS CUT, MANY PEOPLE COULD GO WITHOUT MEALS. THERE ARE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT OUR SENIORS RECEIVE THAT AREN’T EXCLUSIVELY MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAMS. AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MEDICARE AND MEDICAID FUNDING OR THE FUNDS THAT ARE ALLOCATED TO THOSE WHO ARE DUAL ELIGIBLE, FOR THOSE WHO RELY ON THOSE RESOURCES, THAT CAN HAVE A MASSIVE IMPACT ON THEIR DAY TO DAY. NOW, THE GROUP SAYS, AS THE COSTS CONTINUE TO RISE ON FOOD ITEMS, THEY JUST HOPE THEY’RE ABLE TO STILL FEED THE COMMUNITY. REPORTING LIVE HERE IN LANCASTER COUNTY, I’M GABRIELL
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Lancaster PA: Meals on Wheels expresses concerns about potential federal cuts
Many states, including Pennsylvania, are facing federal cuts that could impact nonprofit organizations like Meals on Wheels in Lancaster County.Lancaster Meals on Wheels received a blend of funding through Lancaster County Office of Aging, which comprises about 37% of its budget.The group provides meals for seniors who are unable to provide meals for themselves and those with disabilities.Last year alone, they served more than 240,000 meals. However, rising food costs have made it increasingly difficult to continue meeting the community's needs. As of right now, the group says funding streams like Medicare/Medicaid and SNAP have not been cut, but there are some concerns that those sources could be flat-funded in 2026.Since 2020, the organization's costs have gone up by 28% due to inflation and rising prices.That means they're losing about $2.30 on every meal they serve, and with around 900 meals going out each day, it adds up."That would be devastating for sure, there would be hundreds of seniors that would not receive meals home home-delivered meals, or their meals would not be subsidized appropriately for affordability. That would be really difficult for many of them," Feleen Nancarvis, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels, said.
LANCASTER, Pa. —
Many states, including Pennsylvania, are facing federal cuts that could impact nonprofit organizations like Meals on Wheels in Lancaster County.
Lancaster Meals on Wheels received a blend of funding through Lancaster County Office of Aging, which comprises about 37% of its budget.
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The group provides meals for seniors who are unable to provide meals for themselves and those with disabilities.
Last year alone, they served more than 240,000 meals. However, rising food costs have made it increasingly difficult to continue meeting the community's needs.
As of right now, the group says funding streams like Medicare/Medicaid and SNAP have not been cut, but there are some concerns that those sources could be flat-funded in 2026.
Since 2020, the organization's costs have gone up by 28% due to inflation and rising prices.
That means they're losing about $2.30 on every meal they serve, and with around 900 meals going out each day, it adds up.
"That would be devastating for sure, there would be hundreds of seniors that would not receive meals home home-delivered meals, or their meals would not be subsidized appropriately for affordability. That would be really difficult for many of them," Feleen Nancarvis, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels, said.
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