Urge MN Board on Aging to defend Meals on Wheels
What's at stake
We need your help to save access to nutritious meals for our most vulnerable community members.
Proposed policy changes by the Minnesota Board on Aging (MBA) will have a devastating impact for Meals on Wheels providers to deliver over 203,000 meals to Ramsey County residents annually. The two proposals are to:
- Prohibit Meals on Wheels from partnering with direct service organizations, like Wilder, who are more connected to our most vulnerable community members. The impact: significant decrease in delivery routes to those in need.
- Mandate in-home eligibility interviews and eliminate email or phone questionnaires. The impact: a barrier intended to decrease the number of eligible residents seeking a stable source of meals.
Regardless of party affiliation, no voter cast a ballot for hungry or malnourished children, seniors, and families.
So, what can be done about it?
Share how you’ve seen Meals on Wheels positively impact the lives of children, seniors, and families in your neighborhood.
We have until February 7, 2025 for the public to urge MBA to reject these proposals. Meals on Wheels needs extra support and creative solutions, not restrictions and stipulations. Send your message today!
- Access the online form.
- Select either "AAA Grant and Contracts with Service Providers" or "Requirements for Client Eligibility."
- Leave your comment in the text box.
Example comment: "Mary has told me multiple times that if she didn’t get Meals on Wheels, she would not have enough to eat on a regular basis. If our local Meals on Wheels program does not have adequate funding, they may not be able to serve deserving neighbors like Mary. My local program relies on Meals on Wheels to manage this contract so that their staff can focus on getting meals out to people like Mary."
Example comment: "Through Meals on Wheels current contract, 2,000 at-risk seniors in Ramsey, Hennepin, and Anoka counties receive meals. The proposed changes would disrupt their current meal service, and their neighborhood program may be able to continue serving these clients, leaving these at-risk seniors vulnerable."
Meals on Wheels of Ramsey County Member Agencies
Amherst H. Wilder Foundation
Jewish Family Service of St. Paul
Keystone Community Services
Merrick Community Services
Mounds View School District
North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District
Roseville Area Schools
White Bear Lake School District