BOISE, Idaho — Many local nonprofits, including Metro Meals on Wheels, are working to close the gap on food insecurity for seniors in and around the Treasure Valley.
Meals on Wheels CEO Grant Jones said, "Our goal is to make sure seniors are food secure and that they're checked on every day."
The USDA reported more than five million senior citizens were considered food insecure in 2021. The Idaho Food Bank reported 4.6% of Idaho seniors experience food insecurity. According to Jones, many of them rely on organizations like the Idaho Food Bank and Meals on Wheels for their needs.
"The need just continues to increase. We have more requests all of the time, every day we receive calls from people wanting service,” Jones said.
Jones said the organization provides roughly 2,000 meals every day. He said that number is up by 300 meals from this time last year, and it's causing seniors to have an increasingly difficult time meeting their food needs.
"Part of that is because over 20% of our growth in the Treasure Valley is seniors and seniors are living longer. So, you put those two factors together, and we're going to continue to grow,” Jones said.
For the first time in 8 years, the Boise branch of Meals on Wheels has a waitlist. As of Thursday, the list consisted of 16 people. While that might not seem like a lot, Jones said it's rare to have people wait at all in Idaho.
“I think there are some exceptions occasionally, really depending on the need of that person,” Jones said. “And then of course, we can always provide that meal if they're willing to pay for it, even if it's on a short-term basis while they're waiting to get off that waitlist. So hopefully we can work together and come up with some solution to make sure that no senior is food insecure.”
Meals on Wheels is both federally and state funded.
To address the problem, the commission has requested $805,500 from the state of Idaho to support the nutrition programs and regions it serves across the Gem State.
Jones said he hopes the additional funds will help increase meals and minimize their current waitlist. They hope to have budget setting by the end of the week.
To support Metro Meals on Wheels, click here.
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