Stimulus Money to Aid Senior Nutrition Programs

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Tens of thousands of low-income older Americans will get to eat better with $100 million in Recovery Act funding that is expected to provide some 14 million meals to community programs serving the needy, the Associated Press reported.

"Today, more senior citizens are in need, but the programs they depend on are on the brink of reducing their services or closing down," Vice President Joseph Biden said Wednesday in announcing the award at a Washington, D.C., conference of local officials who are overseeing stimulus spending in their communities. "The Recovery Act will help ensure older Americans are not forced to choose between paying bills and buying food."

The funding is to be awarded to 56 states and territories and 246 tribes and native Hawaiian organizations. States will then award the funds to groups providing nutrition services in their communities, AP said. Of the outlay, $65 million is expected to go for nutrition services at senior centers and other community sites, $32 million to home-delivered food services, and $3 million for Native American nutrition programs.