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CBS News
02-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Meals on Wheels Tarrant County navigating funding cuts, meals not impacted
Meals on Wheels Tarrant County is facing uncertainty after learning they will lose nearly half a million dollars in funding. While the daily delivery of meals —a crucial lifeline for seniors — will continue, other essential services will be impacted. CBS News Texas "These budget cuts are really going to affect a lot of seniors and disabled residents here in Tarrant County," said Philip Gonzalez with Meals on Wheels Tarrant County. The impacted ancillary services include a transportation program that provides rides to and from adult activity centers. Wellness checks and nutrition counseling programs are now halted, as is a program called HomeMeds, a medication safety program for seniors. "We know the impact that's had since we started the program, and it's kept a number of our clients from going to emergency rooms and having to go to the doctor and hospital visits," Gonzalez explained. "So it has saved taxpayers a lot of money in that regard as well." The Visiting Nurse Association runs the Meals on Wheels program in the Dallas area. They say they've received no notice of cuts in funding for their meals program — yet. "Yeah. This is new for sure," admitted Chris Culak with Visiting Nurse Association Texas. "And it's really almost every day you kind of have to watch and see, like tomorrow? Are things going to change a week from now?" CBS News Texas Although meal programs have so far been spared from the budget-cutting axe, advocates admit that the climate of cost-cutting, seemingly without regard for consequences, has them worried. "And a big, big challenge for meals programs is how do you sort of create your budgets," pondered Culak, "and how do you look to the future, and how do you really make sure that we're feeding the clients that deserve to have a meal?" The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is tasked with administering the federal funds. For now, advocates say they are relieved that there have been no funding cuts targeting meal deliveries. They're asking supporters to reach out to their state and federal elected officials to share their concerns about the budget cuts targeting the ancillary services and to reaffirm their support for Meals on Wheels. "We've always got to look to the future," said Gonzalez. "And right now, the future sees us continuing to deliver the meals every day to our clients that we serve."
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Volunteers say 25° isn't too cold for Meals on Wheels deliveries: 'Just have to bundle up'
The Brief Brrr! It was 25 degrees outside on Thursday morning when volunteers set out to deliver Meals on Wheels in Dallas. They said it is even more important for them to be out making deliveries on cold days so they can check on their homebound clients. They said braving the elements for a short time is well worth it, knowing how grateful the meal recipients are. DALLAS - Nearly every day, dozens of volunteers and staffers with the Visiting Nurse Association deliver meals to homebound Dallas residents and senior citizens. And on freezing days like Thursday, they need to make sure they take care of themselves too. Local perspective The VNA volunteers that FOX 4 spoke to on Thursday morning said delivering Meals on Wheels in freezing conditions is well worth it, knowing how grateful the recipients are. Oftentimes, they have no other visitors, and many can't get out when it's so cold. "Our goal is to make sure we deliver these meals every day whether it's hot or cold. So in the winter, you just have to bundle up and deliver those meals," added Chris Culak, the VNA VP Chief of Strategy and Development, who also handles a route in West Dallas. In addition to a meal, Culak brought some of his clients blankets and space heaters on Thursday. He said it's especially important to check on residents during freezing temperatures to make sure they have heat and running water. It's obvious to him that braving the elements for a short time goes a long way with his clients. What they're saying "They can't get out too cold for a lot of them to get out. So, yeah, it's very important," said David Crisp, a VNA volunteer who handles one of the 325 daily Meals on Wheels routes in Dallas. It was 25 degrees outside when he began his route on Thursday morning. He said dressing in layers is the key to staying warm when its that cold. "Lots of shirts and this fleece. I'll put gloves on later and this hat," he said. "It can be a little painful, a little uncomfortable, but it's not bad. Just gotta be dressed for it," said Mike Friese, another volunteer. What you can do Delivering meals is a big operation and the VNA is always in need of volunteers to help out on the routes. If you'd like to help or learn more, visit The Source FOX 4 reporter Alex Boyer gathered details for this story by talking to volunteers with the Visiting Nurse Association in Dallas.
