What’s happening: On January 28, Judge Loren L. AliKhan for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a stay pausing the implementation of an Office of Management and Budget memo freezing all disbursements of federal loans and grant programs.  The current stay applies only to open programs that receive federal funding. The court action does not impact the issuance of new funding. While this halt quiets immediate fears, there is still a vast amount of uncertainty among agencies and programs.  Read the statement from Meals on Wheels America CEO and president Ellie Hollander on the potential impact from freeze on federal grants and loans outlined in OMB memo.

Go deeper: The stay comes after a lack of clarity throughout the day about whether Older Americans Act funding, the primary federal funding source for Meals on Wheels providers, would be impacted.  Each additional communication from the administration brought further confusion, with senior nutrition programs called out specifically in a spreadsheet from the administration of programs at risk. Read an article covering the confusion surrounding the inclusion of senior nutrition programs on the list: Donald Trump’s Budget Pause Causes Concern At Meals On Wheels; Official Says Not To Worry.  Watch Meals on Wheels America CEO and president Ellie Hollander on CNN. Read more about the potential impact on health programs.

Note: Meals on Wheels of Greater Hyde Park does not depend on funds from Meals on Wheels America. However, the parent organization does provide numerous resources including messaging, graphics, and grant opportunities.

The Share the Love Event is back to help deliver meals and support to America’s seniors! For every new vehicle bought or leased between November 21 and January 2, Subaru and its retailers will donate a minimum of $300 to a charity, like Meals on Wheels, for every vehicle leased or sold. Find out how to take part. #MealsOnWheels #ShareTheLove http://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/sharethelove

Do you like soup? If yes, come and support the Moose Lodge Soup-er Sunday on November 3rd! Featuring 14 different soups, dessert, music and dancing. You don’t want to miss this event! Call 845-229-7287 by Oct. 30th to make a reservation and/or to preorder soups (see flyer below for details). All proceeds will benefit Meals on Wheels of Greater Hyde Park and the Hyde Park Food Pantry of Dutchess County.

Please enjoy this behind the scenes video made by Marist College’s North Road Communications Videography Team.

This website offers a fairly comprehensive guide to in-home care available in New York State, including costs, Medicaid eligibility, and services available in Hyde Park, Staatsburg, Poughkeepsie, and Rhinebeck. Link: https://www.caring.com/senior-care/in-home-care/new-york

Thanks to Teresa Gasparini and The New Deal Creative Arts Center’s “Hyde Park Insider” magazine for the great article about Meals on Wheels. For more information on the Insider, click this link: https://newdealarts.org/hyde-park-insider/

We are extremely grateful to have received a $5,000 grant from the John and Gloria Golden Fund for Hyde Park of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, a $1,000 grant from the Field Hall Foundation and an anonymous gift of $500 from a supporter all in response to the need to replace our freezer. This left us with less than $1,400 to pay for the purchase, delivery and installation of the new freezer. Mike “The Ice Mahn” also disposed of the old appliance as well as the installation.

This was a critical appliance for us to continue to deliver meals to our clients in the Hyde Park and Village of Rhinebeck communities during these challenging times. We serve a very vulnerable population and rely on support from the community for donations in order to keep our meal costs affordable. Because of the support received from our benefactors, the price for five hot, home-delivered meals has not increased since February 2011. Thank you very much!

Thank you to Katlynn Vanzandt owner and pastry chef of Katie Rose Bakery  for her recent donation of delicious cupcakes.  Our clients certainly appreciated her generosity (and the sweet treats!).  More information about Katie Rose Bakery can be found on Facebook at this link.

Will Baylies of WKZE radio recently discussed the value of Meals on Wheels and the March for Meals campaign with our President, Mr. Jack Fenton.  To listen, click the entry below, which has also been posted on the sidebar.  We thank Will for his ongoing support of our organization!