Meals on Wheels Strapped to Feed Clients in Government Shutdown

A Michigan Meals on Wheels program is struggling to operate without federal funds, which cover 60 to 70 percent of its food budget, reports NPR.

Alison Foreman, executive director of Meals on Wheels for Ypsilanti, Michigan, says without federal support, it will be able to continue services for two to four weeks. The organization currently feeds 200 elderly clients daily. For many, it’s their only meal of the day.

If the government shutdown continues for some time, Ms. Foreman said, the organization would have to start charging clients $5 to $7 for their food. Meals on Wheels has already cut back program services because of sequestration, eliminating its Saturday delivery service more than a year ago.

See The Chronicle’s coverage for more on the impact of sequestration for nonprofits.