Despite President Donald Trump's proposed budget that would decrease funding for the Department of Health and Human Services, which provides government support for Meals on Wheels programs, the Senior Nutrition Program in Pine River and Crosslake, which include Meals on Wheels services, would not be affected.
Jackie Nelson, communications director for Lutheran Social Services, which sponsors these local programs, said the organization's funding comes from sources other than the HHS, including the Older Americans Act, customer donations, in-kind support and state funding.
"So we don't see any impact on our senior nutrition service," Nelson said.
The Lutheran Social Services Senior Nutrition Program serves 168 locations in Minnesota, mostly - but not exclusively - in the western half of the state. About 1,500 congregate meals and 2,200 home-delivered meals are served daily through the program, which provides nutritional meals for all people to enjoy.
The local Senior Nutrition Program offers a nutritionally balanced meal for all people to enjoy.
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Meals are served Monday-Friday at 11:30 a.m. in Pine River and Crosslake. The suggested voluntary donation is $4 per meal for those over 60 and $7.15 for those under 60.
Meals on Wheels are available for homebound seniors in area communities.
In Pine River, meals are served at the Heartland Apartments, 445 Snell Ave. To make a reservation or for Meals on Wheels information, call 218-587-2921.
In Crosslake, meals are served at the Crosslake Community Center, 14126 Daggett Pine Road. To make a reservation by noon a day in advance or for Meals on Wheels information, call 218-692-4271.
