You may have heard that the current version of the federal budget includes potential cuts to programs like Meals on Wheels. A recent article in the Prescott Daily Courier highlighted how these cuts could affect the Northern Arizona Council of Governments (NACOG), which currently provides about 20% of our overall budget.
Thanks to strong financial stewardship over the past 50 years, Prescott Meals on Wheels has built significant reserve funds to help weather funding changes. However, we are concerned for the smaller Meals on Wheels programs in Yavapai County that depend entirely on federal funding.
To help raise awareness, NACOG is encouraging a grassroots campaign: sending paper plates with handwritten messages to our Congressional representatives. These messages should come from the people directly impacted by potential funding cuts—our clients.
Here’s how you can help:
- Starting Wednesday, June 4th, we will deliver a paper plate to each homebound neighbor.
- Please ask them to write a brief message on the plate about what Meals on Wheels means to them.
- Completed plates should be returned to their driver. An example message is included in the attached flyer.
- We will send a reminder about the returning plates the following week. Our goal is to have all plates returned by June 18th.
- NACOG will collect the plates on June 20th and deliver them to Congress later this summer.
If clients express concerns about possible funding cuts, here are key points to reassure them:
- Prescott Meals on Wheels is not fully dependent on federal funding. Most of our support comes from the local community.
- We have reserve funds set aside to maintain services even in the event of cuts.
- We are committed to continuing service. If needed, we’ll turn to the community for additional support.
- Bottom line: There is no need to worry—Meals on Wheels will continue delivering to you!
Thank you for supporting this important initiative.
