Florida Governor Crist Announces $7.2 Million In Recovery Act Funding For Senior Meals

Senior nutrition programs will help more elders maintain independence

March 20, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today announced that Florida will receive more than $7.2 million in funding to support senior nutrition programs in Florida through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The funding includes $4.8 million for congregate nutrition services provided at senior centers and other community sites and nearly $2.4 million for home-delivered meals to help homebound elders.

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“Getting a hot meal and visiting with a friendly volunteer can go a long way toward helping older Floridians live independently in their own homes and in their own communities,” Governor Crist said. “These funds will help more seniors receive the nutrition necessary for continued health and well-being.”

The funds are expected to provide more than 1.8 million additional meals to an estimated 13,486 low-income seniors within 18 months. Current nutrition programs in Florida annually serve more than 8.4 million meals to more than 55,000 seniors. Nutrition programs are critical to ensuring at-risk seniors are able to maintain their independence at home and in their communities.

“At a time when it’s harder than ever for seniors to afford nutritious food, these funds can help older Floridians avoid the impossible choice between eating or paying for medicine and other needs,” said Elder Affairs Secretary E. Douglas Beach.

The funding is part of the initial release of funds from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Governor Crist’s special advisor on the stimulus package, Don Winstead, has been tracking the release of all funding related to the federal legislation. “It is great to see urgently needed funds start to flow from the federal agencies. While we speed funding to infrastructure projects to create jobs, it is also important to provide help to Floridians who are particularly vulnerable,” Winstead said.

For information on how to access Florida’s senior nutritional programs, Floridians can contact a local Aging Resource Center by calling the Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337).

The federal stimulus funding is subject to appropriation by the Florida Legislature, and Governor Crist looks forward to working with the Legislature to obtain the necessary approval. For more information about Florida’s use of the federal recovery dollars made available through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, please visit www.FlaRecovery.com.

Source: Florida Governor