State funding sought as federal cuts threaten veteran meal program

Carter Drake is a Vietnam veteran who has received a “blessing” from volunteers.

“This kind of makes my day. My wife always says the meals always kind of put a smile on my face,” he told the House Veterans and Military Affairs Division Wednesday.

Drake is a beneficiary of a veteran-specific pilot program established in 2023 within Metro Meals on Wheels to feed veterans who don’t qualify for other forms of financial assistance. Since then, connections have been made with more than 275 individuals, and more than 28,000 meals have been provided in the past 18 months.

“This service delivers nutritious meals from a varied menu to almost 200 vulnerable veterans on a daily basis. Each meal is tailored to the dietary needs of each veteran recipient,” said Rep. David Gottfried (DFL-Shoreview).

He sponsors HF3005 that would provide $497,500 in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to continue serving meals to veterans. The funding would maintain current services.

The bill was held over for possible inclusion in a later bill.

“Continued funding right now is more crucial now than ever before as the federal government has reduced funding for senior nutrition coming into this state which has resulted in a 12% cut from last year for Metro Meals on Wheels, which in turn has strained their ability to provide service to everyone who needs it,” Gottfried said.

Patrick Rowan is executive director of Metro Meals on Wheels.

“Many veterans live on fixed incomes, and rely on social security and pensions solely for their income. For veterans who may not have family nearby or have the ability to prepare their own meals, Meals on Wheels provides a vital service,” he said.

And it connects them with the community by addressing emotional and social isolation. Rowan said more than 45% of recipients say a Meals on Wheels volunteer is the only person they see during the day.