A resolution recognizing the value of the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program in addressing hunger, malnutrition, food insecurity, and social or geographic isolation and improving the health and quality of life for millions of older individuals in the United States each year.

Whereas thousands of local nutrition programs supported by part C of title III of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3030d–21 et seq.) (referred to in this preamble as the OAA Nutrition Program), both congregate and home-delivered programs, provide a vital lifeline to millions of individuals 60 years of age or older in communities across the United States who may be homebound and socially or geographically isolated, and struggling with hunger, food insecurity, or malnutrition;

Whereas local nutrition programs supported by the OAA Nutrition Program provide nutritious meals, socialization, friendly visits, and wellness and safety checks through volunteers and staff to individuals who may suffer from long-term chronic conditions, as well as to those who live in the community and have the greatest social or economic need;

Whereas the official purposes of the OAA Nutrition Program are to reduce hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, to promote socialization of older individuals, and to promote the health and well-being of older individuals by assisting such individuals in gaining access to nutrition and other disease prevention and health promotion services in order to delay the onset of adverse health conditions resulting from poor nutritional health or sedentary behavior;

Whereas the OAA Nutrition Program saves significant taxpayer dollars and reduces health care expenditures, often paid through Medicare or Medicaid, by helping to reduce falls, avoid unnecessary trips, admissions, and readmissions to the hospital, expedite recovery from illness, and enable older individuals to live independently for longer;

Whereas local nutrition programs supported by the OAA Nutrition Program are proven, valuable, and effective public-private partnerships that benefit from non-Federal private, corporate, and individual funding and donations to operate their services efficiently and effectively;

Whereas the population of individuals in the United States who are 60 years of age or older is rapidly growing and projected to increase dramatically each year over the next several decades;

Whereas, on March 22, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed into law Public Law 92–258, which amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 and established a national nutrition program for individuals 60 years of age or older; and

Whereas this 50th anniversary of the OAA Nutrition Program provides an opportunity to celebrate and honor community-based organizations that deliver vital and critical services: Now, therefore, be it