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Byrd Announces American Recovery And Reinvestment Assistance For Senior Nutrition Programs
3/18/2009
Washington, DC – Senator Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., today announced the release of more than $680,000 to the State of West Virginia for senior nutrition programs as part of the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The money will be used to assist communities and aging services agencies hit hard by rising food costs at a time when demand for services is increasing due to the economic downturn and increasing elderly population. The funds being allocated today will provide meals to seniors in need of food, help to reinstate nutrition service programs that have been cut and restore job positions which may have been eliminated or reduced.
The amount of money being distributed to each state was determined by a population-based formula and the over 60+ population of each state. According to figures cited by the Department of Health and Human Services, 26% of West Virginia’s population is 60 or over.
“This funding will help those trying to make ends meet in these trying economic times,” said Byrd. “They will also be helpful in moving people back to work in those agencies that assist our elderly populations.”