Recovery Funding Will Provide Meals for Seniors

TRENTON — New Jersey will receive nearly $2.8 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds that will help Senior Nutrition programs provide tens of thousands of meals to an additional 3,000 seniors around the state, Governor Corzine announced Thursday, March 19.
“This funding could not come at a more critical time as our seniors face rising costs and struggle to afford the nutritious meals that will help to keep them active and healthy,” said Corzine. “The Senior Nutrition Program is one of New Jersey’s most important and least expensive tools to avoid nursing home placement for this vulnerable population.”
The funding is part of $100 million being made available for senior nutrition services nationwide by the U.S. Administration on Aging, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Nearly $2.8 million in ARRA funds includes $1.85 million for congregate nutrition programs and $914,259 for home delivered meals for frail elderly. The funding will be distributed using a federal formula to New Jersey’s 21 Area Agencies on Aging.
Health and Senior Services Commissioner Heather Howard wrote a letter to Acting Assistant Secretary for Aging Edwin Walker last week noting that nearly 3,000 individuals are on a waiting list for senior nutrition programs and the lists are growing as increased costs limit the program’s ability to expand.
“Currently, New Jersey’s Senior Nutrition Program delivers 6 million meals to 63,000 seniors per year; the majority of recipients are over 65 years of age,” Howard’s letter stated.
“These funds will help communities hit hard by rising food costs at a time when demand for services is increasing due to the economic downturn and the growing number of older adults,” Corzine added.
“The Senior Nutrition Program is a cornerstone of New Jersey’s efforts to keep seniors living independently in the community. In addition to improving dietary intake, the nutrition program provides older adults with the opportunity for social contact and serves as an important link to other essential services,” Howard said.
Nationally, the Recovery Act provides $65 million for congregate nutrition services provided at senior centers and other community sites, $32 million for home delivered nutrition services delivered to frail elderly at home and $3 million for Native American nutrition programs.