Congressman Christopher Shays testified today before the Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education in support of increased funding for the congregate meals program originally authorized under the Older Americans Act. In November 1999, it was found that the Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging had expanded their congregate meal program beyond the federal appropriation level using reserve revenues. The Agency's reserve funds have been steadily declining since 1995, while the need and demand for congregate meals continued to expand. The Agency was unable to support the congregate meal program at the level of the previous year and was asking providers to cut programs by as much as 30 percent. In the face of impending crisis, the State of Connecticut and local governments and agreed to make up the financial shortfall for this fiscal year.
Congregate meals address both the nutritional and social needs of many seniors.
The federal government must recognize the changing buying power of a dollar, and increase funding for the congregate meal program accordingly.