Submitted by Senior Citizens Inc.
Nov. 6, 2025 – The federal government shutdown threatens critical funding for essential programs that thousands of Coastal Georgia seniors depend on every day.
Senior Citizens Inc. (SCI), the Meals on Wheels partner for Coastal Georgia, receives substantial federal funding for its Meals on Wheels, and for Adult Day Health, and Neighborhood Center programs. With that funding now frozen during the shutdown, SCI faces an impossible choice to either pause services that sustain vulnerable older adults or continue providing care with no guarantee of reimbursement once the shutdown ends.
While SCI provides services to thousands of older adults each day, the most vulnerable seniors are assisted with meals and adult day care that are funded through the Older Americans Act, which is one of the grants frozen during the current budget impasse in Congress.
“These services are essential in helping our community’s older adults age successfully at home,” said Patti Lyons, President of Senior Citizens Inc. “The Older Americans Act funding provides the safety net for many older adults who have no one else.”
SCI is calling on the community to step up immediately:
- Advocate for older adults. Call or email federal and state legislators and urge them to prioritize restoring funding for Meals on Wheels and senior support programs without delay.
- Donate today. Any gift will help ensure that seniors in Coastal Georgia continue to receive the support they need. Give at seniorcitizensinc.org/givemeals
“These funds are critical, and we hope this impasse ends soon.” Lyons said. “Our volunteers and staff are ready to serve—but we need help to keep going.”
ABOUT SCI
Senior Citizens Inc. (SCI) has been helping people in coastal Georgia age successfully since 1959 through a variety of programs including Meals on Wheels, Adult Day Health Centers, DayBreak Care, The Learning Center, and much more. To learn more about SCI and its services, please visit www.seniorcitizensinc.org or call 912-236-0363.