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Sawyer County senior center warns Meals on Wheels cuts could force service reductions
Summary
A representative for Sawyer County’s senior services told the Health & Human Services board that state cuts to Meals on Wheels funding and rising local costs may force reductions in hot meals, site hours and staff capacity unless the county or other funders fill gaps.
Joe, a representative of the Senior Resource Center, told the Sawyer County Health and Human Services board on Oct. 7 that a shortfall in Meals on Wheels funding and other rising costs threaten daily operations and could force service reductions.
"We're up over probably over $4,000 right now," Joe said of a local October fundraising drive meant to replace lost state support. He described replacement of servers and several laptops, high demand on routes with clients who have dementia, and staffing strains at multiple meal sites.
The issue matters because county-funded senior meal programs provide daily nutrition and social contact for homebound older adults across Sawyer County. Joe said the state reduced a line item for Meals on Wheels statewide by $21,000,000 for the next three years, leaving counties to make up the difference, and that although federal funding rose slightly, the state portion was removed from the governor’s budget.
Board members asked how much local funding Joe had requested for 2026 and whether an award at the requested level would keep sites open five days a week. Joe replied that if the requested amount were received he would “make sure that those centers are open,” but he said operations might have to be rearranged. He also emphasized the center’s policy that clients who need a meal will receive one even if they cannot contribute toward the cost.
Joe described operational scenarios if funding falls short: some rural sites might be limited to breakfast and Meals on Wheels on two or three days per week; others might offer frozen meals on off days. He said Hayward and other sites might reduce open hours and eliminate dine-in options at some locations. He said route coverage includes multiple clients with dementia and that in recent weeks two people served by Meals on Wheels were moved to memory-care units and another was placed on an out‑of‑county psychiatric hold.
Board members and staff asked clarifying questions about fundraising and existing contributions. Joe said the senior center sent about $101,000 in contribution requests from January to June of the current year and received about $48,000 in return. He described internal steps staff have taken—reallocating personnel and training—to keep services running.
No formal board action was taken on funding at the meeting. The board did approve routine resolutions and other agenda items that will move to the county board. The Senior Resource Center representative said staff would continue to pursue local fundraising campaigns (October’s “Spread the Sweetness of Love,” November’s “Save Our Seniors” turkey-trot campaign) and to coordinate with health centers and senior sites on outreach and classes.
The board did not set a specific follow-up funding vote at the meeting. Officials and the center’s representative indicated the issue may reappear in budget discussions for 2026 and in coordination with county administrators.
