State funding cut impacts Senior Home-Delivered Meals program

Senior citizens in the Pennyrile Region who receive home-delivered meals could be at risk of losing that service as a result of a recent reduction in state funding.

The Pennyrile Area Development District (PeADD) announced that their agency, along with Pennyrile Allied Community Services (PACS), recently suffered a funding cut of nearly $1.5 million that will impact the region’s Senior Home Delivered Meals program.

According to PeADD, over 750 seniors in the region currently receive home-delivered meals, five days per week, and with the funding cut the program may only be able to fully support less than 300 clients.

At Thursday’s Team Kentucky Update, Governor Andy Beshear shared that the meal program started during the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding available at that time. Following the pandemic, Beshear says the Kentucky General Assembly approved using general funds to support the meal program, but since then, supporting those programs have become more costly resulting in the recent funding cut.

During the upcoming Kentucky General Assembly, Beshear says lawmakers can appropriate more funds toward meal programs. In the meantime, he says agencies should take a closer look at the cost per meals, cost of delivery and who is receiving the services.

PeADD Executive Director Jason Vincent says they know the hardship the funding cut will cause for seniors and they will continue to advocate for the restoration of funding. PACS Executive Director Harold Monroe says the daily meal delivery is more than just nutrition, it’s a wellness check and human connection, and they will work tirelessly to ensure those with the greatest need continue to receive support.

According to a news release, PeADD and PACS staff are currently communicating with service recipients to explain the service reduction and to share information concerning other resources available to them.