Seattle Awards Funding for Home Delivered Meals for Older Adults

The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) announced $1,503,296 million in funding for Home Delivered Meals and Registered Dietitian Services to Lifelong Aids Alliance and Sound Generations.

The Home Delivered Meals program allows older adults to have a nutritious meal if they are unable to leave their homes and prepare meals on their own.

Registered Dietitian services are provided by nutrition experts that offer technical assistance and support to Congregant Meal programs, ensure meals are nutritious and safe to consume, and provide food and nutrition education to participants.

“Older adults are at increased risk for social isolation and the inability to access or cook nutritious meals as they age. For those in our community who face these challenges, the Home Delivered Meals and Registered Dietitian Programs become a critical component in ensuring our older adults can remain independent, healthy, and connected to the community” said HSD Director Catherine Lester.

“This investment allows HSD to partner with organizations to ensure that the needs of specific cultures and ethnicities are also addressed."

The Home Delivered Meals and Registered Dietitian programs reflect HSD’s commitment to promoting healthy aging and public health. The programs also align with Age Friendly—the City’s initiative that addresses specific environmental, economic, and social factors that influence the health and well-being of older adults.

Funding for Home Delivered Meals is awarded to Lifelong Aids Alliance ($583,281), and Sound Generations ($843,839). Both organizations are current providers for this service, with individual strengths. Sound Generation plans to collaborate with Asian Counseling and Referral Service and Sea Mar to serve the Asian and Latino populations.

Currently nearly 12 percent of older adults of color (60+) experience food insecurity compared to their White, non-Hispanic counterparts, at 3.8 percent. 

Though Home Delivered Meals programs primarily serve older adults, a portion of Lifelong Aids Alliance funding is dedicated to serving City of Seattle adults, ages 18 to 59 years, with a chronic condition.

Tilth Alliance will receive $90,000 in funding to provide Registered Dietitian services. Tilth is a current service provider and was the only applicant for this funding process.

The contract period for both services is from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018.