Other observers are concerned that the current policy may inhibit participation in the program and that strengthening contribution requirements would only exacerbate this situation. To examine the extent of current donations, we asked nutrition project staff whether they suggested or received donations from either congregate or home-delivered meal participants. Table V.13 indicates that virtually all projects receive donations. About 90 percent suggest donations, which range from one to two dollars in about 70 percent of projects for each type of meal service. Donations for home-delivered meals are usually slightly higher, presumably to defray transportation costs.
Actual donations are slightly less, on average, than suggested amounts.
Elderly Nutrition Evaluation, Nutrition Project survey, weighted tabulations. The likelihood of making a contribution is related to household income, as participants with incomes below the DHHS poverty threshold, especially home-delivered participants, are less likely to contribute than participants whose income is above the poverty level. A similar, although less striking, pattern exists for congregate participants. Ninety percent of congregate participants with incomes below 100 percent of the DHHS poverty threshold typically contribute, compared with 94 percent of participants with incomes above 200 percent of the poverty threshold. Presumably, many of the participants who are not making contributions do not do so because of their low incomes.