Holiday Drive Targets 265-Person Meal Waitlist
Indiana donors and nonprofit partners can help close gaps as rising meal costs outpace federal and state funding for homebound older adults.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Philanthropy
Live Poll
Do you think your community is doing enough to ensure no one goes hungry?
Generations, the Area 13 Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center serving six southwest Indiana counties, has launched its holiday fundraising campaign "No One Goes Hungry" to reduce a waiting list for home delivered meals for homebound older adults. The campaign runs through the holiday season and targets Indiana residents in Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Knox, Martin and Pike counties.
Why it matters
Demand for home delivered meals has risen while federal and state funding has not been adjusted for a 30% increase in cost per meal over the past few years. As of July 1, 2024, new applications from homebound older adults have been placed on a waiting list, and food banks and government assistance programs are reported to be struggling to keep pace.
Generations reports 265 people waiting for home delivered meals, with the cost per meal up 30% in recent years while federal and state funds have not been adjusted to match. The campaign covers six Indiana counties, and the agency says one in nine people in its community struggles to reliably access affordable, nutritious food.
The players
Generations (Area 13 Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center)
A regional nonprofit aging services agency serving six Indiana counties, operating home delivered meal programs for homebound older adults for more than 50 years.
The details
Home delivered meals are funded through a mix of federal, state and donor dollars, and when the per-meal cost rises without a matching adjustment in those allocations, the program can serve fewer homebound older adults. Generations is asking the public to help close that gap through holiday donations aimed at reducing the waiting list. Donations can be made online at www.generationsnetwork.org or by mail to Generations MOW, PO Box 314, Vincennes, IN 47491.
Timeline
- July 1, 2024: New applications from homebound older adults began being placed on a waiting list.
- Holiday season 2026: The "No One Goes Hungry" fundraising campaign runs through the season.
Market Landscape
Area Agencies on Aging such as Generations operate under the Older Americans Act framework, relying on federal and state allocations alongside private donations to fund home delivered meals. When allocations do not keep pace with rising food costs, regional providers increasingly turn to community fundraising to bridge the difference.
Local businesses and organizations that partner with aging services providers should weigh whether holiday giving or sponsorship can help close waiting lists in their service area. Operators in food service and food distribution may also see a rising demand for donated or discounted product as food banks and assistance programs struggle to meet need.
The takeaway
Organizations that depend on public funds for food programs should track per-meal cost changes against allocation levels to anticipate waiting list growth. Businesses considering charitable partnerships can use the Generations donation channel to direct support toward home delivered meals during the holiday campaign.
Further reading
For more on how community giving supports local services, see Philanthropy coverage on Indiana Philanthropy.
More information
Donations for the campaign can be made through the Generations online donation page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Vincennes Sun-Commercial.
Live Poll
Do you think your community is doing enough to ensure no one goes hungry?
