Local and regional leaders are raising concerns about a potential funding gap in Kentucky’s senior meals program, warning it could reduce access to meals and wellness checks for thousands of older adults across the state.
David Tucker, executive director of the Senior Community Center of Owensboro-Daviess County, said the issue appears to stem from how the program was budgeted in the state’s latest spending plan.
“As far as I understand, it looks like it has not been budgeted appropriately,” Tucker said. “It’s about half of what was really needed to fund senior meals across the state.”
Tucker said the local center currently serves about 350 seniors per day through a combination of home-delivered meals and six congregate meal sites. He said a funding shortfall of that magnitude would have a ripple effect statewide.
“That would significantly decrease the amount of meals we could serve,” Tucker said.
The Kentucky Senior Nutrition Program serves residents age 60 and older through both congregate meal sites and home-delivered meals, particularly for seniors who are homebound or physically unable to prepare food.
Tucker said those services go well beyond nutrition.
“With a home-delivered meal, you have a delivery driver who is checking on that senior five days a week,” he said. “At congregate sites, it’s social interaction, it keeps them active, and we’re often able to notice health issues or declines and alert family members.”
Kenny Williams, executive director of the Green River Area Development District, said the program plays a critical role in supporting seniors’ overall health and independence.
“It’s more than just dropping off a meal,” Williams said. “It addresses food insecurity, social isolation, and helps prevent more costly outcomes like hospitalizations or nursing home placements.”
Williams said more than 3 million meals are served annually across Kentucky to roughly 16,000 seniors, and demand continues to grow.
He said maintaining current service levels is projected to require about $19.6 million annually, while the current state budget allocates $10 million per year — creating what he described as a roughly $9.6 million shortfall.
“That’s a significant gap,” Williams said. “And what that means in real terms is people — real people — losing access to meals they depend on.”
Based on current projections, about 4,800 seniors could be cut from the program starting July 1, with waitlists expected to grow to nearly 10,000 individuals over the next two years.
Williams said the impact extends beyond hunger.
“That meal may be the only person they see all day,” he said. “For some, it’s the only check-in they have — making sure they’re safe, making sure they’re okay.”
He said the program is also cost-effective for the state, noting that investments in senior nutrition help reduce long-term healthcare costs.
“What we’ve found is that every dollar spent on senior nutrition results in savings downstream — whether that’s Medicaid, hospital stays, or delaying nursing home placement,” Williams said.
Williams said local leaders and regional officials are already discussing contingency plans, but emphasized that cutting services is not an acceptable outcome.
“We can’t look at thousands of seniors and say, ‘Sorry, we don’t have the money,’” he said. “These are the people who built the communities we have today.”
State Sen. Gary Boswell said he is aware of the concerns but noted that lawmakers are still reviewing the details.
“I think that we’re going to make sure nobody goes hungry,” Boswell said. “If people that clearly need the program are not receiving meals, we’ll have to revisit that or do something.”
Boswell said funding decisions are based in part on information provided by the executive branch and could still be adjusted.
“If it’s not properly funded, I would guess that would be a high priority on everybody’s list,” he said.
State Rep. Suzanne Miles said lawmakers maintained base funding for the program and emphasized that senior services remain a priority.
“Our vulnerable population has been and will continue to be a priority,” Miles said. “The program not only is a nutritional need but also, many times, a wellness check to keep our seniors safe.”
Miles said the General Assembly continued $20 million in base funding over the biennium and noted that no additional funding request was submitted by the administration, despite prior concerns.
“The General Assembly is dependent on the Executive Branch for accurate information for the needs of the agencies and programs,” Miles said. “We can only budget appropriately if provided the correct information.”
She also emphasized that home-delivered meals — particularly important in rural areas — were preserved in the final version of the budget.
As the General Assembly prepares to reconvene, Williams said he remains hopeful that lawmakers will address the issue before any cuts take effect.
“We’re advocating, we’re preparing, and we’re praying,” he said. “I believe there’s a solution — and I believe this is something that will be addressed.”
