As Budget Uncertainty Looms, Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels Urges Continued Support for Aging Residents
As Congress works to reconcile competing versions of the federal budget, local senior service providers are bracing for the potential impact of reduced social services funding. Although neither the House nor Senate versions include direct cuts to senior nutrition programs, both propose sweeping reductions to overall social services—raising concerns for nonprofits like Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels, which rely on federal programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and the Social Services Block Grant to support aging adults in need.
Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels, one of the oldest nonprofits in Fort Bend County, serves thousands of seniors each year with no-cost meal delivery, daily safety checks, and activity programs. Much of this work is made possible by funding through the Older Americans Act (OAA)—a landmark piece of legislation passed in 1965 to support aging populations nationwide. But for the first time in its 60-year history, the OAA has not yet been reauthorized under the current administration, leaving service providers in limbo.
“In the past year alone, we delivered over 427,000 meals to older adults,” said Doug Simpson, Executive Director of Fort Bend Seniors. “The seniors we serve aren’t just numbers. We know them by name. For many, we are their only daily contact and their primary source of nutrition. This isn’t just about meals—it’s about dignity, health, and staying independent at home.”
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Simpson emphasized that while temporary budget measures are keeping services afloat, long-term uncertainty is making it harder to plan ahead. “Regardless of what happens in Washington, we’re going to keep doing what we do—feeding and checking on seniors every day,” he said. “It’s simple: when you nourish people and check in on them, they stay healthier and out of hospitals, which saves taxpayer money. Investing in seniors is just smart policy.”
According to recent data from Census Reporter, Fort Bend County has a population of approximately 916,778, with nearly 101,000 seniors aged 65 and over—and about 10% of those seniors living at or below the poverty line. In Waller County, 9% of the roughly 59,000 residents are seniors, and nearly 1 in 10 live in poverty.
These figures highlight the urgent need for continued investment in senior nutrition programs, particularly as the nation's demographic landscape shifts. By 2034, the number of seniors in the U.S. will outnumber children for the first time in history, intensifying the demand for programs that help older adults age safely and with dignity in their own homes.
To help meet that demand, Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels wis gearing up for their upcoming 18th Annual Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser, presented by H-E-B and hosted by La Cocina on May 3, 2025. The event will feature live music, food, drinks, auctions, raffles, and more—with all proceeds supporting the Meals on Wheels program.
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In 2024 alone, Fort Bend Seniors served 427,800 meals to 2,330 seniors across Fort Bend and Waller Counties, both through home-delivered meals and programs offered at seven senior activity centers. These services are free of charge, based entirely on need—not income—and there is no waitlist.
“Fundraisers like this one are not just celebrations—they’re lifelines, helping to close the gap when public resources fall short,” Simpson said.
As federal lawmakers finalize budget decisions, local involvement is more important than ever. Simpson called on the community to step up and support their elderly neighbors.
“Seniors built the communities we live in. Now it’s our turn to show up for them,” he said.
To learn more about Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels, donate, or get involved, visit www.FortBendSeniors.org.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
