Latest news with #MealsonWheels
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- General
- RTÉ News
Meals on Wheels providers struggling to meet demand
Conor Hunt reports that the Meals on Wheels services are reporting that some of its 300 providers are struggling to meet growing demand with fewer volunteers.
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Meals on Wheels providers struggling to meet demand with fewer volunteers
The country's Meals on Wheels services are reporting that some of its 300 providers are struggling to meet growing demand with fewer volunteers. The network received €6.25 million in funding in last year's budget, but said food inflation has exacerbated the pressures they are under. Just outside Emyvale, Co Monaghan, the kitchen at the Truagh Spirit Meals on Wheels service is at full tilt. Over 100 dinners are being prepared. The increase in the cost of food is being keenly monitored and felt here. "It's constantly rising, it's been rising the last two years," said chef Kevin Crossan. "Just for instance, today, we have mince on. This time last year, a portion of mince was €1 cheaper compared to what it is now, never mind the veg. The mince is gone up by €1 - and I'm doing over 50 portions, that's €50 for the cost alone just for today," he said. There are other examples, too. A kilo of diced beef was €10 last March, now it's €11.89, he said. A kilo of turkey has gone from €7.80 to €9.10. Five kilograms of prepared vegetables have increased by €2.50. All of those increases add up when cooking for large numbers, he said. It is now impacting on the menu. "I've to cut down on the roast beef, because it's gone up 2.50 per kilo. When you're buying more than 15 kilos, that's another €50 on cost. I'm trying to use the cheaper cuts now, trying to get more out of it," he said. "Our clientele are slightly older, they like what they like. It's harder to come up with new ideas for a substantial dinner for them. I know that they like the roast beef, and they like their turkeys. We have to accommodate them where we possibly can, but we're bringing in some cheaper cuts as well," he said. Fiona McCaffrey Jones is the manager. "It's very tough at the moment. And what we really want to do is just highlight the fact that soaring food costs are having such a negative impact," she said. In March 2024, the service put their own prices up - from €7 per meal, to the current rate of €8. She said that compared to last year, their food bill has soared. "It's the huge price increases. Compared to the same period in 2024, the average is 26.7% and that's just an enormous increase." "You don't want to cut the quality of the ingredients we're using to produce these nutritious Meals on Wheels, because that's what people a very traditional kind of Irish food. It's fresh vegetables, fresh potatoes, and locally sourced meat and fish as well for Fridays." As well as the cost of food prices, there are other cost pressures too, namely VAT at 13.5%. "The company made the decision to actually absorb that (the VAT) and not pass it on to our vulnerable service users. So, with all of these pressures, we just feel we're getting squeezed from both sides - the VAT issue and then the soaring cost of food," she said. She is now calling on the Government to review the issue of VAT for services like hers and also to bring clarity to the issue, as she said the operation is now at a pinch point. "We've managed not to cut back, but we're just going to have a look at our service going forward," she said. The area they cover is sizable. It measures over 400 square kilometres of north Monaghan. Many of its users are described as elderly and vulnerable. Kitty McKenna is a regular customer and has much praise for the meals she receives, describing them as "tasty dinners I would have made when I was fitter". She also said they are "great value", but she would not like to see the price go up. "I wouldn't like it increased, I think it's fine as it is," she said, adding that she has also noticed the increase in food prices in the shops. "It costs nearly as much to keep myself as it would when I had three or four children … I find now the shopping I get for one person is nearly as dear now as it was when I did the shopping for everyone," she said. It is a similar story nearby with Rose Hughes. Any notion of an increase in the price of her Meals on Wheels service is not welcomed. "I have my dinner every day, then pay for it at the weekend," she said. What if the operators decide they need to up their price? "I hope they don't," she said. The Meals on Wheels keep on turning, but the service is feeling the squeeze.
Powys County Times
7 days ago
- General
- Powys County Times
See the winners from the 2025 Welshpool Community Awards
Welshpool Town Council recognised several volunteers for their work serving the community at the 2025 Welshpool Community Awards. The town council announced the winners of the community awards as part of a special ceremony at Welshpool Town Hall on Sunday, July 20, with the winners accepted their awards from the Mayor of Welshpool, Cllr Phil Owen and Deputy Mayor of Welshpool. These awards, nominated by the public, aim to recognise individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the community, with the winners at the 2025 ceremony including volunteers who provided food and transport to Welshpool residents, a group that manage a garden space in Powis Castle and some anonymous crafters who add a bit of colour to Welshpool's High Street. Mayor of Welshpool, Cllr Phil Owen said: 'The Welshpool Community Awards highlight the incredible generosity, creativity, and resilience that make our town so special.' 'Each of this year's recipients has made a lasting difference to the lives of others, often quietly and without expectation of recognition.' 'On behalf of the Town, I offer our heartfelt thanks and congratulations to them all.' Among the winners of the 2025 community awards were Ann Watt and Sonia Wyatt, volunteers at Meals on Wheels who have been delivering meals to the community in all weathers. Dr Tony Harvey and Dr Revd Roger Brown were also recognised by the awards for their longstanding service to Welshpool. The Welshpool post-box topper creators, a group of anonymous crafters who create knitted decorations for the top of a post-box on Broad Street were also awarded for 'cheering up many people in the community with their wonderful and colourful creations'. Another group awarded was the Community Transport Scheme, as during 2024-2025, the volunteers gave 1,220 hours of their own time, completing 453 journeys that covered 16,042 miles. Describing the transport scheme's efforts, Cllr Owen added: 'The drivers are incredibly kind, compassionate, attentive and always prioritise the safety and comfort of their passengers. ' Ponthafren Powis Castle Garden Group received the Highly Commended Certificate, recognising the efforts of the group made up of five volunteers who manage a garden space, hidden away in the grounds of Powis Castle. The group meet weekly and work hard to look after the garden, grow food an support each other.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who is the viral Chef Reactions? Here's why he is moving to Detroit
One of the internet's most popular culinary comedians is making a Detroit debut. Chef Reactions, the TikTok star known for his razor-sharp sarcasm and 'extra salty' takes on viral food content, is officially relocating and bringing his massive online fanbase with him. With 3.7 million followers on TikTok and 2 million on Instagram , Chef Reactions is on the verge of becoming Detroit's newest foodie celebrity. Chef Reactions, whose real name is rarely mentioned on his channels, rose to fame by delivering hilarious and blunt commentary on cooking fails, recipe hacks, and questionable food trends. His trademark style—quick-cut editing, a deadpan voiceover, and savage ratings—has scored him over 105 million likes on TikTok — with the numbers still climbing. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Design Thinking Public Policy Project Management Cybersecurity Data Analytics Data Science PGDM Product Management healthcare Others Operations Management Finance CXO Digital Marketing Healthcare Data Science Technology Leadership Artificial Intelligence MBA others MCA Skills you'll gain: Duration: 25 Weeks IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK PCP DTIM Async India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 22 Weeks IIM Indore CERT-IIMI DTAI Async India Starts on undefined Get Details View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chef Reactions (@chefreactions) Now, after years of catering to a global audience from afar, Chef Reactions is putting down roots in Detroit. According to reports by The Detroit News, he's excited to explore and highlight local restaurants, food trucks, and culinary traditions unique to the Motor City. The chef told The Detroit News, 'Detroit has such an underrated and diverse food scene. I'm looking forward to digging in and maybe even bringing some of my chef friends along for the ride'. Best known for the tagline 'extra salty / side of sarcasm,' Chef Reactions has parlayed his social media fame into national collaborations, branded merch, and partnerships with chef-focused brands. His 'CR x Hedley & Bennett' hat, raising money for Meals on Wheels, was an instant sell-out among fans. Live Events But his latest move isn't just about discovering Coney dogs or Motor City pizza—it's deeply personal and rooted in baseball. After not having a favorite ballclub for most of his adult life, Chef Reactions was invited by Major League Baseball to announce his new allegiance during this year's All-Star festivities. In a widely watched video on July 15, he revealed Detroit as his pick, citing the Tigers ' promising young team, their strong farm system, and the city's die-hard sports culture. Chef Reactions summed it up himself: 'I've been following the signs and they've all led me here… @tigers see you soon, Detroit,' he wrote on Instagram. He explained in his announcement that after years of exploring American food cities and searching for a club to call his own, the Tigers' underdog spirit and community vibe won him over. His heartfelt appreciation for Detroit's grit—and fandom—the main reason for his move, blends seamlessly with his plans to highlight local food, restaurants, and culinary personalities. Beyond sports, Detroit's chefs and restaurant owners are thrilled. Industry watchers speculate that a positive (or even brutally honest) review from Chef Reactions could become as influential as the infamous 'Keith Lee effect,' putting local eateries on the national map overnight. In his move to Detroit, Chef Reactions promises to dig into the city's diverse culinary scene and bring his legion of followers along for the ride.
Los Angeles Times
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
California sues Trump for blocking undocumented immigrants from ‘public benefit' programs
California and a coalition of other liberal-led states sued the Trump administration Monday over new rules barring undocumented immigrants from accessing more than a dozen federally funded 'public benefit' programs, arguing the restrictions target working mothers and their children in violation of federal law. President Trump and others in his administration have defended the restrictions as necessary to protect services for American citizens — including veterans — and reduce incentives for illegal immigration into the country. One of the programs facing new restrictions is Head Start, which provided some 800,000 low-income infants, toddlers and preschoolers with child care, nutrition and health assistance. Others include short-term shelters for homeless people, survivors of domestic violence and at-risk youth; emergency shelters for people during extreme weather conditions; soup kitchens, community food banks and other food support services for the elderly, such as Meals on Wheels; healthcare services for those with mental illness and substance abuse issues; and other adult education programs. California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta's office said states have been allowed to extend such programs to undocumented immigrant families at least since 1997, and the Trump administration's 'abrupt reversal of nearly three decades of precedent' amounted to a 'cruel' and costly attack on some of the nation's most vulnerable residents. 'This latest salvo in the President's inhumane anti-immigration campaign primarily goes after working moms and their young children,' Bonta said. 'We're not talking about waste, fraud, and abuse, we're talking about programs that deliver essential childcare, healthcare, nutrition, and education assistance, programs that have for decades been open to all.' The lawsuit — which California filed along with 19 other states and the District of Columbia — contends the new restrictions were not only initiated in an 'arbitrary and capricious' manner and without proper notice to the states, but will end up costing the states hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Bonta's office said 'requiring programs to expend resources to implement systems and train staff to verify citizenship or immigration status will impose a time and resource burden on programs already struggling to operate on narrow financial margins.' It also said that the impact of the changes in California, which has a huge immigrant population compared to other states, would be 'devastating — and immediate.' The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. The states' claims run counter to arguments from Trump, his administration and other anti-immigration advocates that extending benefits to undocumented immigrants encourages illegal immigration into the country, costs American taxpayers money and makes it harder for U.S. citizens to receive services. About a month after taking office, Trump issued an executive order titled 'Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders,' in which he said his administration would 'uphold the rule of law, defend against the waste of hard-earned taxpayer resources, and protect benefits for American citizens in need, including individuals with disabilities and veterans.' The order required the heads of federal agencies to conduct sweeping reviews of their benefits programs and move to restrict access for undocumented immigrants, in part to 'prevent taxpayer resources from acting as a magnet and fueling illegal immigration to the United States.' Trump cited the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 as providing clear restrictions against non-citizens participating in federally funded benefits programs, and accused past administrations of undermining 'the principles and limitations' of that law. Past administrations have provided exemptions to the law, namely by allowing immigrants to access certain 'life or safety' programs — including those now being targeted for new restrictions. In response to Trump's order, various federal agencies — including Health and Human Services, Labor, Education and Agriculture — issued notices earlier this month announcing their reinterpretation of the 1996 law as excluding 'noncitizens' from more programs, including previously exempted ones. 'For too long, the government has diverted hardworking Americans' tax dollars to incentivize illegal immigration,' said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 'Today's action changes that — it restores integrity to federal social programs, enforces the rule of law, and protects vital resources for the American people.' 'Under President Trump's leadership, hardworking American taxpayers will no longer foot the bill for illegal aliens to participate in our career, technical, or adult education programs or activities,' said Education Secretary Linda McMahon. 'By ensuring these programs serve their intended purpose, we're protecting good-paying jobs for American workers and reaffirming this Administration's commitment to securing our borders and ending illegal immigration,' said Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. The Department of Agriculture also said it would apply new restrictions on benefits for undocumented immigrants, including under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. However, the states' lawsuit does not challenge the Department of Agriculture, noting that 'many USDA programs are subject to an independent statutory requirement to provide certain benefits programs to everyone regardless of citizenship,' which the department's notice said would continue to apply. Joining Bonta in filing the lawsuit were the attorneys general of the Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as the District of Columbia.
