Monday, April 28, 2025
As we recognize National Nutrition Month, a time dedicated to highlighting the importance of healthy eating and food security, we find ourselves facing a looming crisis that threatens the very foundation of support for some of our most vulnerable neighbors. The proposed federal budget cuts could have devastating consequences for Long Island families, particularly for our seniors who rely on essential programs like Meals on Wheels.
In 2024, EAC Network delivered 150,000 meals to thousands of hungry, vulnerable senior citizens in Nassau County alone. These meals, provided through our Meals on Wheels program and our four Senior Community Centers in Merrick, Point Lookout, Hempstead Village and Roslyn, allow seniors to maintain their independence, receive valuable nutrition, and stay connected to their communities. For many, this program is more than just food — it’s a lifeline that combats malnutrition, social isolation and health decline.
The proposed budget cuts would severely limit our ability to continue these services at the current scale. This isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet; it’s about real people — our parents, grandparents and neighbors — who have worked their entire lives to build our communities and now find themselves in need of support. Slashing funding for senior nutrition programs means fewer meals, fewer wellness checks and, ultimately, greater strain on our already overburdened health care and social service systems.
For seniors like Marie, a widow who regularly visits our Hempstead Senior Center, our programs aren’t just about receiving food — they’re about dignity and survival. “I’m a widow and I live alone now,” Marie says. “Being in the house all day is not one of my things. I come every day because I like to socialize.” Stories like hers aren’t unique; they are similar for thousands of seniors who rely on our programs to remain independent.
The ripple effect of these cuts extends beyond our seniors. Families who depend on supportive services will feel the strain as they’re forced to step in to fill the gaps. Working caregivers, already juggling jobs and responsibilities, will face increased financial and emotional burdens. The loss of funding could also impact jobs in the caregiving and nonprofit sectors, further destabilizing local economies.
A Senate and House bill passed this month calls for harmful cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services, including significant top-line cuts that could impact critical social service programs for our seniors, such as Medicaid, SNAP and the Meals on Wheels program.
Any reductions would profoundly affect Meals on Wheels providers like us who rely on federal funding to deliver essential services to vulnerable seniors in our community. Today, nearly 13 million older Americans face the threat of hunger, and 56 percent of seniors report feeling lonely. Cuts to these vital programs are unconscionable, and must be prevented.
Beyond the impact on seniors and their families, these cuts would also place immense pressure on local volunteers and nonprofit workers who dedicate their time to keeping these programs running. With fewer resources, we may be forced to turn away seniors in need or reduce meal deliveries, leaving many at risk of malnutrition and social isolation.
Long Island has always been a community that takes care of its own, and now is the time to stand together and demand that our leaders protect the programs that keep our most vulnerable residents safe and healthy. Investing in senior nutrition isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s the fiscally responsible choice. Every dollar spent on Meals on Wheels and our senior centers helps prevent costly hospitalizations and long-term care placements, saving taxpayers money in the long run.
Failing to invest in senior nutrition today will only lead to higher health care costs tomorrow. Research shows that proper nutrition reduces hospitalizations and the need for long-term care, saving taxpayers millions of dollars in avoidable medical expenses. It’s clear: Preventing hunger is a cost-effective strategy that benefits everyone.
As Congress debates these budget proposals, I urge our elected officials to prioritize the health and well-being of our seniors. Let’s ensure that National Nutrition Month isn’t just a time for awareness, but a catalyst for action. And I urge you, our Long Island community, to take action. Call your representatives, write letters and speak out — because protecting our seniors should never be up for debate.
Neela Mukherjee Lockel is president and CEO of EAC Network.
