Where we are
The House and Senate Human Services Omnibus bills have passed out of committee. The House bill includes a $3,076 million one-time appropriation for FY 2026-27 for senior nutrition (HF 2212) — about 1/3 of our original request. The Senate bill includes a minimal ongoing appropriation for senior nutrition, totaling $250,000 per biennium. Our request to the legislature was for $11 million. Providers estimate they need $20 million in the biennial budget to fully meet the growing need. With no increase in funding this year, the Minnesota Association of Area Agencies on Aging (m4a) projects delivering 487,000 fewer meals in 2025 than in 2024.
In the next week or so, the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees will consider the allocation. Then the Omnibus bills will go to the House and Senate floors for passage. Once the bills have passed the House and Senate, conference committees will be appointed to work out the differences in the bills.
Next steps
Send emails from your organization to key legislative leaders and the governor asking for their support
Here’s a sample email to get you started. Be sure to personalize it with information from your organization’s experience. Leadership contact information.
Ask everyone in your network to email (preferred) or call their legislators
Now is the time to urge advocates, members and participants to take action. Ask them to tell their legislators to support critical funding for senior meals. (See a sample blurb below to use in emails and newsletters.) Share this easy-to-use link for finding your legislators and contact information.
It is doubly important for people to contact their legislator if the legislator sits on the House Services Finance and Policy Committee or the Senate Human Services Committee.
Tell our stories
- Share stories about the need for state funding on social media accounts to raise public awareness and encourage others to join in the advocacy. Be sure to personalize with stories from your community. (See sample social media posts).
- Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. (See sample letter to the editor and list of publications coming soon).
Sample blurb for emails and newsletters
Take Action Now for Senior Meals
The Senior Meals & Services Coalition has a critical funding request for a $11 million appropriationbefore the Minnesota Legislature. Minnesota Seniors need your help to ensure passage.
Programs that provide meals and other services for older adults are severely underfunded and do not meet the needs of Minnesota’s oldest residents. The Minnesota Association of Area Agencies on Aging projects that lack of funding means meal providers are on track to serve 487,000 fewer meals in 2025 than in 2024.
Please email your Minnesota House and Senate members now and tell them to fund meals for frail older adults. Ask House members to hold the line and accept NO LESS than the $3,076 million funding in the House Omnibus Human Services bill. Ask Senate members to, at a minimum, accept the funding level in the House bill. Find your legislators here. Sample email.
Find additional resources at seniorservicesmn.org/resources.