Meals on Wheels of San Antonio is preparing for rising needs as millions of Americans face reduced SNAP benefits.
SAN ANTONIO — SNAP benefits are expected to decrease for millions of Americans. One San Antonio nonprofit is preparing to make sure they can meet the need.
Meals on Wheels of San Antonio says the funding they receive is essential to help seniors stay healthy and safe and out of expensive healthcare settings.
June 14 marks the 60th anniversary of the Older Americans Act, which helps fund this life-saving organization.
“I’m 102 and not through,” said Sgt. Odell Lewis, an Army veteran. “As soon as I got married and came back, I had to go to Korea for a year.”
This Silver Star recipient served our country proudly and for the past 17 years, Meals on Wheels of San Antonio has been serving him.
“If I’m hungry, I’m not going to turn my nose at anything,” said Lewis.
“He came to us when he was in his 80s, by himself, needing assistance. To have been on it this long, I think that says something about how well the program has served him,” said Vinsen Faris, CEO of Meals on Wheels San Antonio.
Since 1999, the number of older adults experiencing food insecurity in the U.S. has quadrupled.
13 million older adults are at risk or experiencing food insecurity and an estimated 2.5 million low-income, food-insecure seniors are not receiving the help they need.
That’s where Meals on Wheels comes in.
“Without the Older Americans Act funding, there would be fewer people like Mr. Lewis that Meals on Wheels would be able to serve,” said Faris.
And it isn’t just about nutrition, but the social contact too.
“It’s very important that they have a knock on the door. They have a delicious warm nutritious meal in hand and just someone to say, ‘Hey, we care about you. We know you’re here,'” said Faris.
“I’ve met some really nice people,” said Lewis.