Date: January 10, 2008
Contact: Barbara Schoof Conant
barbara.conant@aging.ks.gov
Director of Communications
(785) 296-6154
With Kansans now in the process of preparing their income tax returns, Kathy Greenlee, Secretary of Aging, reminds them that filing their state returns also gives them the opportunity to help Meals on Wheels programs across the state.
The Senior Citizen Meals on Wheels Contribution Program was created in 2002 by the Kansas Legislature to allow taxpayers to make voluntary donations to support home-delivered meals.
“In 2007, more than $132,000 was contributed through the check-off,” Greenlee said. “That money supplements nutrition services for the elderly and individuals with disabilities and makes it possible for them to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.”
Individuals receiving a state income tax refund can indicate in the designated space on the tax form an amount of the refund they would like to contribute to the Meals on Wheels program. Contributions can range from a dollar to all of their refund.
Individuals who owe state taxes also can contribute by indicating the amount they want to donate in the designated space and writing a check for the tax balance due plus the amount contributed to the Senior Citizen Meals on Wheels Contribution Program.
Last year, nearly 1.8 million meals were provided to eligible participants in their homes, and another 1.6 million meals were served at congregate meal sites throughout the state. (For an area breakdown of home-delivered meals, see listing at end of release.) Of those receiving home-delivered meals, about 70 were women age75 or older and more than 50 percent lived alone.
The check-off funds are distributed to the meal programs according to a formula based on the number of meals served. The money supplements client donations and local, state and private funds that are leveraged by the federal Older Americans Act funds to support Meals on Wheels, as well as voluntary support for these programs.
The federally funded Nutrition Program for the Elderly, which provides meals to older adults in senior centers, nutrition sites and in their own homes, began more than 30 years ago.
-30-