[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 50 (Friday, April 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCTION OF THE STOP SENIOR HUNGER ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK. A. LoBIONDO

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 2005

  Mr. LoBIONDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise here today in support of the ``Stop 
Senior Hunger Act of 2005.'' This important piece of legislation 
reauthorizes vital senior nutrition programs. These programs help these 
men and women in cities, suburbs and rural communities across America 
who are elderly, homebound, disabled, frail or at risk. They help those 
with long-term illnesses and those who may just need a little short-
term assistance after a hospital stay or during a time of need. In the 
words of the Meals-on-Wheels Association of America, the oldest and 
largest national organization representing senior meal programs in the 
United States, these programs are needed ``so no senior goes hungry.''
  The ``Stop Senior Hunger Act of 2005'' reauthorizes through 2010 both 
congregate and home delivered nutrition services--those meals provided 
at local senior centers and those meals delivered to homebound seniors. 
It also reauthorizes the Nutrition Services Incentive program which 
provides additional funds to states based on each state's share of the 
total meals served by Meals on Wheels and other senior nutrition 
programs in all states the prior year.
  The average beneficiary may be very familiar to you--she may be your 
mother, your grandmother or your next door neighbor. She is an elderly 
woman in her very late seventies or early eighties and is more than 
twice as likely as her contemporaries to live alone, apart from family 
and friends. She is likely to have trouble with walking or climbing 
stairs and have a number of diagnosed chronic health conditions. In 
addition, she probably has an income below $18,000. Whatever the 
reason, she cannot shop, cook, or prepare meals for herself. She relies 
on Meals on Wheels and other senior nutrition programs to ensure she 
gets proper nutrition.
  The demand for the services Meals on Wheels and other senior 
nutrition programs provide will continue to increase at an astounding 
pace. As many of you know, the over 65 population in the United States 
is growing and is projected to increase dramatically. In fact, those 
individuals age 85 or older, is the fastest growing segment of the 
entire United States population.
  Meals on Wheels and other senior nutrition programs are also an 
excellent use of our increasingly scarce federal dollars. They save 
federal Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans' health care costs since 
malnourished patients stay in a hospital nearly twice as long as well 
nourished seniors. In addition, for every federal dollar spent as part 
of these programs as much as three dollars are leveraged from other 
funding sources, including state, local and private funds and 
participant contributions toward the cost of meals.
  I was proud to participate in the Meals on Wheels Association of 
America's ``March for Meals'' last month. I joined volunteers from 
Meals on Wheels of Salem County, New Jersey in delivering meals and 
witnessed first hand both the need for these important programs and the 
incredible dedication of their staff and volunteers. I encourage each 
of you to get involved with your local programs--whether you help 
prepare meals, deliver meals, or just join local seniors in enjoying 
their meals--your support can make a difference.
  For all of these reasons, I urge my colleagues in the House to 
support the ``Stop Senior Hunger Act of 2005.''

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