March 23, 2017 — Meals On Wheels, Inc. of Tarrant County has been working diligently to answer media inquiries and to provide factual information about reported funding cuts. Our efforts to be transparent with our clients, donors and volunteers have been largely successful; however, some misinformation is still circulating.

• First, and foremost, NOTHING has changed at this point. Meals are still being prepared and delivered each weekday by caring volunteers to our homebound clients in Tarrant County Texas. Potential funding cuts in the federal budget document issued by President Trump have not been approved. Proposed cuts are part of the budget process that happens every year and may or may not become reality. This was addressed in a letter from our President and CEO last week as we responded to real concerns expressed by our clients, donors and volunteers.
• Meals On Wheels, Inc. of Tarrant County is not a chapter of a national organization. It is a local organization, governed by its own Board of Directors, which provides nutritious meals and other services for homebound elderly and disabled individuals living in Tarrant County.
• All of the community-based, home-delivered meals programs around the country are locally operated and are responsible for securing their own funding necessary to provide meals to the clients they serve. Although most of these programs share the Meals on Wheels name, each home-delivered meals program is different and has unique characteristics that mirror the needs of its community. For example, programming, funding sources and eligibility requirements vary by location.

Meals on Wheels America is not a national governing organization and does not have local chapters.   Meals on Wheels America is not a service agency. They do not provide meals.  Meals on Wheels America is strictly a membership advocacy organization for the independent Meals on Wheels organizations around the county. Local home-delivered meals programs can choose to be a member; however, this is a choice, not a requirement.  The national membership organization provides grants and scholarships for training, leadership development, research, education, and advocacy support. Again, they do not provide direct services for individuals.