Aging Matters in Brevard, an organization dedicated to feeding the elderly in our community, is celebrating its 60th year of caring for some of the most vulnerable people on the Space Coast.
But now, more than ever, the organization is in search of champions.
Already stretched thin with 330 homebound Brevard County senior citizens on a waiting list for the Meals on Wheels program, and dealing with federal funding cuts, now the organization is out $500,000 in state funding, thanks to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The governor this week signed the state budget totaling $117.4 billion after he vetoed almost $600 million from the Florida Legislature’s proposed spending plan. Among the items vetoed: the money for Aging Matters to help increase the number of seniors served. It’s hard to believe the governor couldn’t fit another $500,000 into the budget.
The measly amount in the grand scheme amounts to 0.0004% of the total budget. It’s shameful.
There’s no doubt that arguments can be made by interested parties in favor of retaining funding for their organization or cause, but feeding vulnerable seniors shouldn’t be something we need to fight for.
In addition to Aging Matters in Brevard, the governor vetoed budget expenditures for 11 other senior meal programs throughout the state. This isn’t about politics. Making sure the elderly are fed is not a red or blue issue. Do you know how much the state has in reserves? $15.7 billion. That’s right. Yet, now organizations like Aging Matters in Brevard have to literally beg for help after 60 years of feeding Space Coast seniors.
Sure, it’s important to be fiscally conservative during these uncertain economic times, and perhaps many of the vetoed items deserved to be slashed. But why would feeding the elderly be among them?
Know how much it costs to feed a senior in Brevard for a whole year? It’s only $2,000, according to Tom Kammerdener, president and CEO of Aging Matters in Brevard.
“We’re disappointed it was vetoed,” Kammerdener said Tuesday. “We’ll have to work on it and move on. But now we anticipate the waiting list to grow to more than 500 in the next six to eight months.”
500? Imagine 500 of our neighbors, senior citizens, going hungry night after night.
That’s not even the worst of it.
Seniors with most dire needs are on the waiting list
The requests for assistance are evaluated and put into categories, with Level 5 being the most dire cases. These are seniors who have medical issues, limited mobility and other issues that force them to choose between eating or keeping the power on.
For the first time, Level 5 seniors are on the waiting list for service. Not just a few. There are between 26 to 30 Level 5 seniors hoping to receive food. Aging Matters has never before had to turn away locals in critical need.
“We need the community now more than ever,” Kammerdener said. “We’re looking for champions. This is going to need a community effort.”
Aging Matters in Brevard is more than Meals on Wheels. A lot more. It’s a network of professional staff and service providers working in concert with more than 800 volunteers who champion the causes that matter most to Space Coast seniors.
Aging Matters provides life-changing services. We have more than enough money to fund it.
FLORIDA TODAY reported earlier this year that, in 2024, Aging Matters in Brevard provided 79,000 hours of companion support, respite care, light housekeeping and other assistance. Installed 178 ramps and 2,100 grab bars, and checked 1,300 homes for smoke detectors. Distributed donated cat and dog food monthly to 160 clients through Pets on Wheels. During hurricane season, they serve meals at four emergency shelters,.
“We support senior independence, health, safety, and quality of life and work to help people remain in their home for as long as possible as they age,” Kammerdener wrote in an opinion piece published last month in FLORIDA TODAY. “Some of our clients are well into their nineties and living independently with a network of support and care.”
Aging Matters in Brevard is kicking off a new CHAMPIONS initiative that will officially launch at an Oct. 30 CHAMPIONS breakfast. This month, they are hosting two “Brews & Cruisin'” fundraising events in Brevard, as well as raffling off a luxury golf cart. To learn more about being a CHAMPION or to buy a raffle ticket or to simply make a donation, go to https://agingmattersbrevard.org/.
The governor’s budget has lots of money allocated to many important things like $10 million for a new Brevard County Sheriff’s Office precinct and regional training complex in Viera and $1.25 million for the Florida Law Enforcement Educational Initiative at the American Police Hall of Fame and Museum in Titusville. There is also $275 million earmarked for roadwork in the county, as well as more than $18 million for Port Canaveral.
But you’ll have a tough time convincing me that the governor couldn’t chisel out $500,000 from the $304 million for the projects mentioned above. What does it say about us a society that it’s more important to fund a police training program than making sure our most vulnerable citizens have enough to eat?
I’m not sure why the governor vetoed these funds. One can only assume he was given bad information or doesn’t realize how many of our elderly neighbors need help. If he had any inkling of the need, surely he would have approved the funds, right?
Sure, sure, that has to be it.
Contact Torres at jtorres@floridatoday.com. You can follow him on X @johnalbertorres or on Facebook at facebook.com/FTjohntorres.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Aging Matters feeds hungry Brevard seniors. Gov. DeSantis axed state money to help | Opinion
Reporting by John A. Torres, Florida Today / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
