Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels has been significantly
impacted by recent federal funding reductions through the
Older Americans Act (OAA). The following information
provides key context and responses to frequently asked
questions for media and community partners.
1. Can you walk me through how you first learned
about the funding cut and what your immediate
reaction was?
We learned of the funding reduction in mid-October
through the Houston-Galveston Area Council, which
administers the Older Americans Act funds. The news
was unexpected and significant. The reduction amounts to
more than $800,000 total and a $440,000 reduction to
home-delivered meal funding alone, which represents a
significant portion of our program budget. Our first reaction
was concern for the seniors who depend on these meals
every day. Due to the magnitude of the cuts, we
immediately began working to find a solution that would
be the least disruptive for everyone we serve. Our priority
has been to protect as many seniors as possible from
losing access to nutrition and safety checks while
developing a sustainable path forward.
2. How many seniors will be impacted by budget
cuts?
The funding reduction will affect every one of the 1,300+
seniors we currently serve each week across Fort Bend
and Waller counties. However, our goal is to keep all
existing clients enrolled and avoid instituting a
waitlist—something we have never done in our 50-year
history. To make that possible, beginning January 1,
2026, we will reduce home-delivered meals from seven
per week to five. This adjustment allows us to continue
serving everyone while responding to the loss of funds.
Overall, the Meals on Wheels budget cut of $440,000
represents nearly 70,000 lost meals in our community.
3. What do those “two lost meals” represent in terms
of nutrition, safety checks, and social connection?
Those two meals mean more than food. Every meal we
deliver is designed specifically for older adults. They are
balanced, portion-controlled, and follow the latest nutrition
and hydration guidelines. Losing two of those healthy
meals each week means seniors are missing out on vital
calories, protein, and nutrients that help them maintain
strength and independence. For many of our seniors, our
driver is the only person they see all day. It’s not just
about calories; it’s about care, dignity, and human contact.
4. What percentage of your budget has been lost due
to federal cuts?
Our Older Americans Act (OAA) funding was reduced by
nearly 50%, bringing federal support back to 2018 levels.
This represents a decrease from $1,769,928 (original
FY2026 request) to $922,437—a direct loss of nearly
$850,000, or roughly one-third of our total annual
operating budget. This reduction comes at a time when
food, fuel, and labor costs have increased by more than
20% since 2018.
5. What does your fundraising goal now look like?
To offset these cuts and maintain essential meal delivery
services, our immediate emergency fundraising goal is
$500,000. These funds will help prevent further service
reductions, keep every senior currently enrolled on the
program, and sustain operations while we pursue new
grant opportunities, corporate partnerships, and
government support. We have launched a community
campaign titled “Feed Our Seniors” to rally local
businesses, faith groups, and individuals to help close this
critical funding gap.
6. How sustainable is this five-meal model if funding
doesn’t return?
The five-meal model gives us some flexibility in the short
term, but it isn’t a long-term solution. We must look
beyond this year and focus on the long-term sustainability
of all our programs so that Fort Bend Seniors Meals on
Wheels can continue serving this community for the next
50 years and beyond.
We view this not only as a challenge, but as a call to
action for the Fort Bend and Waller County community.
The more we can grow support from corporate sponsors,
individuals, and philanthropic partners, the stronger and
more resilient we become. Building a broader base of
community investment will help us stabilize funding and
reduce our vulnerability to future government fluctuations.
7. Are any current services at risk of being closed?
At this time, no senior centers or core programs have
been closed; however, all operations are being reviewed
for long-term sustainability. Reducing the number of
weekly meals was the least disruptive path available—one
that allows us to avoid removing seniors from the program
or implementing a waitlist. If the funding gap cannot be
filled through community support, additional service
adjustments—including possible site consolidations—may
be considered later in 2026.
Summary & What Your Support Could Mean for Fort
Bend Seniors
An investment in Fort Bend Seniors would make an
immediate and lasting difference for thousands of seniors
across Fort Bend and Waller Counties. With recent
reductions in federal funding, we are working to ensure
that no senior is left hungry or isolated. Your support
would directly sustain meal delivery, wellness checks, and
social connection programs that many older adults rely on
every day.
A gift would allow us to:
• Deliver thousands of additional meals to homebound
seniors.
• Maintain vital wellness and safety checks that help
seniors remain independent.
• Keep our senior centers open and active as hubs for
community connection.
• Expand outreach to the growing number of seniors
facing food insecurity.
This significant funding reduction is both a challenge and
a reminder of the power of community. For over fifty
years, Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels has worked to
ensure that no senior goes hungry or feels forgotten. We
remain committed to that mission, and this moment calls
on all of us to stand together for our seniors. With your
support, we can continue to Feed Our Seniors and keep
hope alive for those who depend on us most.
