Meals on Wheels Faces Funding Cuts, Expands Flood Relief Across Texas

Meals on Wheels Central Texas, a nonprofit delivering hot meals to homebound seniors since 1972, is facing significant challenges due to federal budget cuts and proposed legislation under President Donald Trump's administration that threatens Medicaid and SNAP benefits, potentially increasing senior hunger. Despite these setbacks, the organization continues its operations, scaling back meal deliveries from an anticipated 3,000-5,000 to about 2,300-2,400 meals daily, while also expanding services to assist flood-affected communities. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson has expressed strong support for Meals on Wheels, highlighting the organization's role as 'generators of hope' and emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to supplement funding, especially after vital FEMA grants for flood control were canceled. The nonprofit Keep Austin Fed complements this mission by rescuing surplus food from local businesses and redistributing it to nonprofits serving food-insecure populations, reducing waste and environmental impact. Both organizations rely heavily on volunteers and community support to address food insecurity amid increasing demand and funding uncertainties. Additionally, the Salvation Army has introduced a new mobile disaster canteen in Montana to provide meals and spiritual counseling during emergencies, underscoring the broader community response to hunger and disaster relief.