def #240 09/17/08

LAST CALL TO CONGRESS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE; FUNDING WOULD SUPPORT NUTRITION PROGRAM FOR SENIORS

TOMS RIVER – As the window of opportunity begins to close to let Congress know the importance of properly funding nutrition programs for seniors, Ocean County is making another effort at encouraging residents to make their voices be heard.

“Residents can still contact Congress this week to urge them to pass a second economic stimulus package with Emergency Older Americans Act funding before they adjourn for the year,” said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as chairman of the Office of Senior Services.

Meanwhile, Vicari and the staff at Senior Services are getting ready to send more than 4,600 cards signed by the participants at congregate sites, senior centers and recipients of home delivered meals in Ocean County to Congress, calling for the need to provide the necessary funds to continue such programs.

With pressures of a worsening economy on everyone’s mind, Congress is expected to consider a second economic stimulus package before it adjourns for the year. However, what this stimulus measure will look like and what provisions it will include is still being determined by members of the House and Senate leadership.

“It’s imperative at this time for all of us to call attention to the need for emergency Older Americans Act funding that will help keep solvent those programs that help an aging population stay healthy and independent,” Vicari said. “These programs, like meals on wheels, are struggling due to the rising costs of food and fuel.”

The House of Representatives is expected to consider its stimulus package in the next few days. The Senate Appropriations Committee released a “first draft” of a Senate supplemental spending measure in late July, which includes $40 million for OAA senior nutrition programs.

“As these stimulus measures continue to take shape in the next several days, we must take action now to increase the chances that critical funding provisions are included,” Vicari said.

To contact Congress, residents and caregivers can call 202-224-3121 to connect to the U.S. Capitol Switchboard and then ask for your Representatives and Senators. A national toll-free number 1-888-245-0215 is also available today, Wednesday (9/17).

“I am urging our residents to pass on the following message to their Congressional leaders - Pass an economic stimulus package including critical funding for local aging programs before you adjourn for the year. The stimulus package must include Emergency funding for Older Americans Act nutrition and supportive services programs confronted with significant cost increases due to rising food and fuel prices,” Vicari said.

He noted that according to the U.S. Administration on Aging, the cost of one day's stay in the hospital is equal to one year of home delivered meals.

“Doesn’t it make sense to provide the full funding for a program that will keep our seniors in their homes and provide them with a nutritious meal and social interaction everyday,” asked Vicari. “This seems a much better scenario than failing health and hospital stays.”

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