KRISTV.com
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS | CONTINUOUS NEWS COVERAGE
Powered by
Local News
Seniors Could Suffer Under Sequestration: Meals on Wheels Impact
Posted: Feb 27, 2013 1:33 PM by Janine Reyes
Updated: Feb 27, 2013 6:51 PM
CORPUS CHRISTI -- The effects of sequestration will begin March 1st if the federal government does nothing. One part of those cuts is the Older Americans Act. It contains a series of programs that could have serious implications for the aging population in our community.
In Corpus Christi, Meals on Wheels will see a 6.5% decrease in funding. That means $48,000 less each year.
Two years ago, the program served 600 home delivered meals a day, now they're down to 500 with a growing waiting list.
They also serve 400 meals each day to the city's senior centers.
81-year-old Eldon Gearheart and his 77-year-old wife, Joyce, say its their main meal each day, and without it, they may be eating canned soup. "We don't eat a lot of breakfast, but we eat this new meal, and then we'll have a little snack at night," explained Eldon.
That's the routine, 3 years and counting now. They had to spend some time on a waiting list before getting on the program. Both call it essential.
"We was very thankful for it, very thankful," said Eldon. "Oh yeah, because we have a limited income," Joyce chimed in.
The Gearhearts say for more reasons than one this meal is often the highlight of their day.
"She comes through the door with a smile and we just look forward to it, she brings some sunshine with her," said Eldon of their regular delivery driver. For those living alone, it may be their only contact with another person all day.
Meals on Wheels has not had to cut current clients, they began planning for budget cuts in advance and cut their lists by attrition. That has made the waiting list longer and they have had to stop giving emergency help to people who would have previously qualified.
That maybe was a recent hospital discharge that had no family support what so ever, no in home services that quite frankly would not have a meal, while they're recuperating at home," said Lisa Oliver of Meals on Wheels.
Meals On Wheels representatives say what makes it worse, is this is not the only senior program affected. Joyce agrees. "It frustrates me to no end, because I can't get help with my medicine, I can't get help with this, I can't get help with that. I've been turned down for a wheelchair," she said.
The meals on Wheels program started taking community donations to help serve clients. It costs $122 a month to sponsor one person. $1440 can serve a person for a year.
For more information on helping, call 826-3150.
Video On Demand
Submit News
Do you have a tip, information about a breaking news story, or a story idea for 6 Investigates? Contact the KRIS 6 News Desk at 361-884-6666 or send us an email.
Most Popular
KRISTV.COM is Social!
Click the icons above to receive News, Weather, and Sports alerts from KRISTV.COM!
Inside KRISTV.COM
 |
Photo Central Look at photos and videos and share them! |
 |
Desktop Weather Current forecast, hurricane info, and much more! |
 |
KRISTV.COM Mobile Website Get KRISTV.com on your mobile or PDA! |
 |
KRISTV.COM Mobile Apps Get our mobile apps on your mobile or PDA! |
 |
Texas Lottery See the latest winning numbers! |
 |
6 News Team Read about your favorite KRIS-TV personalities! |
 |
FCC Online Public File FCC Public File of Records, Reports, and more |
Comments