Meals money for elders on the way

Vice President Biden announced today that states will receive $100 million in stimulus money to feed low-income older Americans.

The funding is expected to provide nearly 14 million meals nationwide, the White House said.

“Across the country, older Americans depend on senior centers and home delivery programs for regular, healthy meals. Today, more senior citizens are in need, but the programs they depend on are on the brink of reducing their services or closing down,” Biden said in a statement. “The Recovery Act will help ensure older Americans are not forced to choose between paying bills and buying food.”

The stimulus package provides $65 million for meals at senior centers and other community sites, $32 million for home delivered meals, and $3 million for Native American nutrition programs. The funding was initially authored and championed by Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, the White House said.

UPDATE: The offices of Kennedy and Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts said that the Bay State will get $2.1 million, $1.4 million for nutrition programs at senior centers, and $700,000 for home-delivered nutrition programs such as “Meals on Wheels."

“One of the true measures of any society is how it cares for its elderly,” Kennedy said in a statement. “These federal funds come at a critical time for seniors in our Commonwealth. Communities and aging services across the state are facing a surge in the need for these services because of the economic crisis. It’s essential to give our seniors the care they need and deserve, and this support will be a lifeline.”

Kerry added, “We know that when the economy’s hurting, seniors living on fixed incomes take a wallop. This is an investment in the quality of life and health of thousands of grandmothers and grandfathers across Massachusetts. It’s more than a hot, nutritious meal, for many it’s a lifeline to the outside world. Senator Kennedy and I will keep fighting for Massachusetts seniors so no one goes hungry and we keep faith with the generation that built our country.”

Connecticut will get more than $1.1 million, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, while Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont will get $485,000 each.