DeLauro Delivers Lunch with Meals on Wheels

Hears How Budget Cuts Will Result In Seniors LosingAccess to Meals

NEW HAVEN, CT—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) joined TEAM,Inc. members as they delivered lunch to Meals on Wheels participants inAnsonia. DeLauro then met with TEAM, Inc. staff and participants in the seniornutrition program at Callahan House in Seymour. They described for DeLauro howthey have been dealing with the effects of the deeply harmful, across-the-boardbudget cuts known as sequestration.

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

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

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

The senior nutrition program run by TEAM serves 298 seniorsin those same towns, serving a total of 10,588 meals last year at an averagecost of $5.74 a meal. They are facing a $3,648 cut in federal funding, whichwill 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 andworking to address the issue of hunger in America."

Since beginning their program, TEAM has assisted over 5,000families in need through the Meals on Wheels program. Meals on Wheels offerssupport to seniors who are unable to provide good nutrition for themselves,typically for short periods of time during an illness or while recuperatingafter a hospital. Periodic calls and home visits are made to determinecontinued 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 SeniorCommunity Cafes at the Doyle Senior Center in Ansonia, Derby Senior Center inDerby, or the Callahan House in Seymour.