Doubts remain as to whether a program delivering meals to older adults in Northeast Florida will be funded this year on the state level.
The Senate has approved $400,000 for the request for funding for ElderSource from Sen. Clay Yarborough, but Rep. Dean Black’s ask in the House has yet to get traction.
Elder Source operates in a sprawling, growing area of the state, including Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns, and Volusia. It provides especially needed services for homebound and financially-constrained seniors.
But currently, more older Floridians need help than there is funding to support, meaning that these residents are going hungry. The waiting list continues to grow, and the program hasn’t been funded since FY 23-24 on the state level.
While $40,000 of the appropriation would go to administrative costs, $360,000 would go to the support of what Yarborough’s request calls “frail, older adults.”
Beyond the meals, the service would also allow for socialization and wellness checks for the 200-400 who could be served if the funding came through.
