Meal programs in rural Minnesota are at risk. Catholic Charities Senior Dining announced earlier this year that they will no longer offer frozen meals in several rural locations. Reductions in funding received through a contract with the Central Minnesota Council on Aging mean they will serve 108,000 fewer meals in 2025 than in 2024.
Besides crucial nutrition, meal programs for older adults create important community connections, both for the volunteers who prepare and deliver meals and for people who receive them. Don and Gordon provide a glimpse into both sides of the equation.
Don delivers
Don started volunteering with Catholic Charities Meals on Wheels in March of 2023 in Mora. He proudly drives his truck to deliver meals, regardless of the weather. Don is a retired licensed independent clinical social worker. He feels that this duty to serve never ends, and he will continue to help humanity as long as he is here on Earth. Don has volunteered over 140 hours to date.
Gordon’s story
Gordon, who is a widower of 58 years, currently lives with his son. He drives five miles to Catholic Charities Senior Dining congregate location in Maple Lake every single weekday.
He stated that he cannot cook and often eats Cheerios and coffee at night. Senior Dining is important to him because it provides healthy food options and helps him keep a balanced diet. He likes most of the food Senior Dining serves. He said, “you can’t please everyone all of the time.”
He enjoys visiting with the other diners and staff at the Maple Lake site. “The staff are perfect and do their jobs well,” he said. He enjoys laughing with them and always feels welcome. Gordon says he plans to keep going as long as he is able.
Contact your legislators
Meals on Wheels and other senior meal programs are severely underfunded. The Senior Meals & Services Coalition is asking legislators to add $11 million to the biennial budget during this legislative session.
We need your voice to help pass this legislation. Contact your legislators today and tell them to fund senior meals and services.