Meals on Wheels Central Texas is keeping an eye on the proposed cuts to the federal department that funds the program included in President Donald Trump’s proposed budget.

There are approximately 5,000 community-run Meals on Wheels programs nationwide, which receive 35 percent of their overall funding from the federal, state and local funding sources, according to Meals on Wheels America. The federal funding comes from the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program, which is under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There is a proposed 17.9 percent, or $15.1 billion, cut to the department, according to the federal budget blueprint released last week.

Meals on Wheels America said in a statement March 16 the effects on the specific funds earmarked for the program have not been announced yet. However, funding for Meals on Wheels also comes through federal block grant programs, two of which would be eliminated in the proposed budget.

In Central Texas, Meals on Wheels provides free meal deliveries to people in need, along with grocery shopping assistance, home repairs, veteran services and problem-solving therapies. About 30 percent of the organization’s funding comes from federal dollars for the Meals on Wheels program.

Today, Meals on Wheels Central Texas provides service to nearly 5,000 persons in need with the help of more than 7,000 volunteers.

“The nutritious meals prepared by our kitchen staff and hand-delivered by our dedicated volunteers allow the thousands of low-income seniors we serve every day to stay in their own homes and out of assisted living facilities," said CEO and President Dan Pruett.

Daily meals, safety checks and other services for one client costs the organization around $2,100 a year, he said.

"It costs taxpayers approximately $40,000 a year if a client moves into assisted living," Pruett said.

Thad Rosenfeld, the vice president of communications for the organization, said the nonprofit is encouraging people to donate funds.

"We are hoping that when the dust settles and Congress eventually passes a budget that the Meals on Wheels funding will remain the same," he said.

To find out more about the local organization, visit www.mealsonwheelscentraltexas.org.