Older adults in our communities are facing growing challenges. As a driver for the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin (ADRC-CW), I see seniors who struggle with food insecurity and rely on Meals on Wheels to stay healthy.
In 2025, Meals on Wheels services in Lincoln, Langlade, Marathon and Wood Counties were reduced by 40,000 meals due to budget limits. Federal funding has remained flat since FY2024, even as food and delivery costs rise. These funding gaps forced ADRC-CW to create a waitlist in 2025 and add a monthly meal cap in 2026 — while keeping the waitlist active. The Older Americans Act, which funds Meals on Wheels, remains underfunded, and federal dollars make up about 37% of our local program’s budget.
At the same time, H.R. 1 (the Big Beautiful Bill Act) proposes up to $187 billion in cuts to federal food assistance over the next decade, likely reducing access to food, health care and in-home supports for low-income seniors. When meals are reduced, needs don’t disappear — they shift to hospitals and long-term care at far higher cost.
Meals on Wheels works. Every $1 invested returns $3.87, and one hospital partnership saw $1 million in savings in just three months. Meals also improve nutrition, reduce loneliness, increase safety and help seniors stay at home.
Kevin Stellman
Wisconsin Rapids
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