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Waller County approves $7,000 donation to Fort Bend Meals on Wheels after warnings of service cuts
Summary
The Commissioners Court voted Dec. 17 to approve a one-time $7,000 donation to Fort Bend County Meals on Wheels after the program warned federal funding cuts threatened weekend deliveries for homebound Waller County seniors. The organization said it serves nearly 200 local seniors and delivered over 37,000 meals this year.
Waller County Commissioners Court voted Wednesday to approve a one-time donation of $7,000 to Fort Bend County Meals on Wheels to help offset federal funding cuts that threatened weekend deliveries to homebound seniors.
Doug Simpson, executive director of Fort Bend County Meals on Wheels, told the court the organization faced a budget reduction of roughly $800,000–$900,000 across its operations. He said the group serves almost 200 Waller County seniors and has delivered more than 37,000 meals in the county so far this year. “Your action today protects seniors,” Simpson said, urging support to avoid cutting weekend meal deliveries.
The presiding judge moved to provide county funds and the court recorded a motion and second; the motion carried. County charities also presented a separate $5,000 check at the meeting. Court staff said an existing Memorandum of Understanding with the provider expires Dec. 31; legal will prepare either an addendum or a separate MOU to ratify the county’s contribution at the first meeting in 2026 before funds are released.
Commissioners asked how the county’s preferred support would be structured and whether SEP funds or other restricted sources could be used. County legal staff said they would advise on the appropriate contract language; Simpson said the organization will monitor service levels for six months and hoped community support would allow it to continue seven-day-per-week deliveries.
Simpson asked for volunteer support as well as donations; he noted that, because Waller County is more rural, volunteer drivers are especially valuable. He also said the organization is exploring a stronger local presence — including the possibility of hiring a staff member devoted to Waller County and hosting local fundraisers — to keep services sustainable.
The court’s action is procedural: the donation was approved on the floor and will be ratified administratively via an MOU addendum or similar contract at the next court meeting in early 2026.
