Texas Border Business
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Filemon Vela (D-TX) along with Congressman Katko (R-NY) and Congresswoman McBath (D-GA) introduced the bipartisan and bicameral Helping Our Most Elderly (HOME) Meals Act. The bill would establish a competitive grant program to repair, replace, and customize home-based meal delivery vehicles that provide nutritious meals to seniors who are shut-in, frail, or otherwise homebound. This bill is particularly timely given the global COVID-19 pandemic, where we have seen seniors disproportionately impacted by the virus and restricted in their ability to travel to the grocery store. This grant program would significantly alleviate older Americans’ barriers to nutrition and reduce their risk of contracting the virus due to limited food access.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, of the nearly 750,000 people that live in the 34th district of Texas, over 100,000 are 65 years old or older and 19.8 percent live below the poverty level. With the country’s senior population expected to double by the year 2060, the number of seniors facing hunger and isolation is also expected to rise. This reality coupled with the recent hardships created by the COVID-19 pandemic presents an important opportunity to provide seniors with the health and nutrition they need.
The bicameral bill was introduced by Senator Manchin in the Senate and has been endorsed by Meals on Wheels.
“I am proud to introduce legislation that will provide nutrition assistance to seniors in my district,” said Congressman Vela. “This deadly pandemic has greatly impacted seniors in our community and across the country. This legislation would enable seniors to have greater access to home-based meal programs, and help curtail hunger and food insecurity for some of our most vulnerable communities.”
“I am pleased my colleagues in the House of Representatives introduced the HOME Meals Act today. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation is vital to ensuring our seniors are taken care of and receive the home-based nutrition they need. This system also provides seniors with social interaction, which many older Americans and West Virginians lack,” said Senator Manchin. “The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on our nursing homes and other care facilities, but we must also look to our seniors who live at home independently who still need our help and care. I look forward to working with my bipartisan colleagues to pass this legislation in both chambers to send this to the President’s desk for signature so we can upgrade and repair our delivery vehicles to better help West Virginians and Americans across our nation receive the nutrition and care they need.”
“The American senior population is expected to double in the next few decades. Today many live alone, take multiple daily medications, and find themselves stretching their savings far longer than they expected,” said Congresswoman McBath. “Providing our nation’s seniors with the food and attention they need is critical, and this program will help ensure our seniors feel healthy, loved, and cared for.”
 along with Congressman Katko (R-NY) and Congresswoman McBath (D-GA) introduced the bipartisan and bicameral Helping Our Most Elderly (HOME) Meals Act.){kind=link}