DeLauro Delivers Lunch With Meals On Wheels

Press Release

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) joined TEAM, Inc. members as they delivered lunch to Meals on Wheels participants in Ansonia. DeLauro then met with TEAM, Inc. staff and participants in the senior nutrition program at Callahan House in Seymour. They described for DeLauro how they have been dealing with the effects of the deeply harmful, across-the-board budget cuts known as sequestration.

"At a time when people were already trying to do more with less, it is unconscionable that we are cutting into programs that help feed seniors. Nationwide, nearly 15 percent of American households are food insecure, including one and seven in my own congressional district. This simply means they do not know where their next meal is coming from; they are hungry.

"Hearing the participants' stories firsthand was jarring and I will carry them back to my colleagues. The budget passed by House Republicans would make even deeper budget cuts, an unthinkable outcome for the Connecticut seniors who would suffer as a result. Anti-hunger initiatives, like the ones I saw today, used to enjoy widespread bipartisan support. I hope we can return to those days."

TEAM, Inc.'s Homebound Program serves 348 seniors in Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, Oxford and Shelton through Meals on Wheels. They serve an average of 53,244 meals a year, spending just $4.92 on each meal. They are facing a $12,000 cut in federal funding, which will result in 15 seniors being cut from the program. Those seniors subsequently may not be able to remain in their homes.

The senior nutrition program run by TEAM serves 298 seniors in those same towns, serving a total of 10,588 meals last year at an average cost of $5.74 a meal. They are facing a $3,648 cut in federal funding, which will result in 18 seniors being unable to get their meals at any given time.

Last May, DeLauro received the National Meals on Wheels' first-ever "Platinum Plate Award" for her "leadership in raising awareness and working to address the issue of hunger in America."

Since beginning their program, TEAM has assisted over 5,000 families in need through the Meals on Wheels program. Meals on Wheels offers support to seniors who are unable to provide good nutrition for themselves, typically for short periods of time during an illness or while recuperating after a hospital. Periodic calls and home visits are made to determine continued eligibility or need. Once the person is able to get out of the house, they are encouraged to participate in a meal program at one of TEAM's Senior Community Cafes at the Doyle Senior Center in Ansonia, Derby Senior Center in Derby, or the Callahan House in Seymour.

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