This year, an average of 11,400 Americans will turn 65 every day. Roughly 1,250 live below the federal poverty line of $15,000 annual income.

Simultaneously, historically deep budget cuts in federal funding will directly impact the most vulnerable in our community: homebound seniors who depend on us for their daily meals, social contact, and safety checks. 

We are facing a ‘perfect storm’ of skyrocketing need and plummeting funding.

As the Interim Executive Directors at Island Senior Resources, we feel compelled to share with you the severity of the situation facing the needy seniors and disabled adults we serve.

Here are some things to know about ISR:

  • ISR is the largest Island County non-profit organization serving seniors and disabled adults and the only program with this sole focus.

In 2024:

  • Over 7,000 individuals turned to us for help in 2024.
  • 100,269 meals were served to nearly 1,200 local residents by our volunteers and staff last year.
  • Resource specialists and case managers helped 2,252 seniors with resources they need to age safely in their homes instead of moving to skilled nursing.
  • ISR volunteers and staff provide access to healthcare with rides to doctor’s appointments and treatment both on Whidbey and off-island.
  • Our group of specialized SHIBA volunteers helped seniors make informed decisions on their specific Medicare benefits and supplemental insurance options.

This looming reduction in federal funding for 2025 is not just a number on a spreadsheet; it is a decision that will directly impact lives.

What the Budget Cuts Mean for Meals on Wheels

The US government’s proposed reductions in funding for senior nutrition programs like Meals on Wheels would force us to make agonizing decisions. According to the most recent budget proposals, programs nationwide could experience a cut of up to 30% compared to the prior year. In practical terms, here’s what that could mean:

  • More seniors wait-listed, unable to receive the daily support they desperately need.
  • Smaller portions or less frequent deliveries due to reduced funds for food and fuel.
  • Fewer wellness checks, putting isolated seniors at increased risk of medical emergencies, malnutrition, and loneliness.
  • Increased pressure on family caregivers, many of whom already struggle to balance work and elder care.

Unless we take swift, local action, homebound seniors may be left hungry, isolated, and at greater risk of hospitalization or worse.

Why This Moment Matters

We are at an important crossroads. The decisions we make now as a community will reverberate for years to come.

Make no mistake: The potential impact is not abstract. Here in our own neighborhoods, these cuts would mean having to tell a grandmother, living alone after the loss of her spouse, that there isn’t enough funding to continue providing her with daily meals. It means telling a veteran who served our country that we can no longer provide him with transportation to his doctor’s appointments to help him stay healthy.

How You Can Help—Right Now

This is a critical moment, and they need your help, now!.

Here’s how you can take action today:

  • Donate: Every dollar you contribute goes directly toward purchasing food, maintaining delivery vehicles, and supporting outreach. A gift of just $50 can provide a week’s worth of meals for a senior. There are many ways to join the thousands of donors who help every year. Go here to learn how you can help: https://senior-resources.org/ways-to-give/
  • Volunteer: There is joy in service. Whether you can commit to helping once a month or once a week, your time makes an irreplaceable difference. Volunteers are the heart and hands of our Meals on Wheels, Medical Transportation and Senior Thrift store, bringing not only food and assistance, but also hope and human connection to those in need. Learn more about opportunities to lend your hands and your time on our website: https://senior-resources.org/volunteering/
  • Advocate: Please contact your elected officials at the local, state, and federal level. Urge them to restore—and increase—funding for Meals on Wheels and other critical senior programs. Your voice matters: policymakers listen when citizens speak up on issues that impact their communities. Check out ‘5 Calls” to make your voice heard: https://5calls.org/

Now more than ever, Island County seniors need us to stand up and show that we value their lives, dignity, and independence. With your help, we can ensure that no senior is left hungry, without access to healthcare or alone—even in the face of adversity.

If you or someone you need could benefit from our many services, please:

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support, your compassion, and your commitment to our mission during these challenging times.

Working together, we can make a difference.

Gratefully,

ISR Interim Executive Directors – Cheryn Weiser and Nic Wildeman