Budget Cuts Threaten Meals Programs

Arkansas has the nation’s highest rate of hunger among people 60 and older. More than a fourth of Arkansans 60-plus don’t always know where they will get their next meal, and state budget cuts could make the situation worse.

The budget for services delivered through senior centers was reduced by $1 million, or 20 percent, in April. As a stopgap measure, lawmakers appropriated one-time funds in September to prevent the loss of 127,000 meals—including Meals on Wheels and group meals served at senior centers.

AARP Arkansas is now fighting to get the funding permanently restored. To drive the message home, AARP printed facts about hunger on paper plates and mailed the empty plates to lawmakers.

To help with advocacy on this issue, email araarp@aarp.org.