Missoula, MT — Missoula Aging Services (MAS) has been recognized with the prestigious Employer of Choice Award by the Missoula Job Service, a nod to the organization’s commitment to employee care and professional development. The award comes at a challenging time for the nonprofit, as uncertainty surrounding federal funding casts a shadow over its future operations.
Despite their pride in receiving the award, MAS officials, including spokesperson Anna Wilson, are grappling with concerns over potential cuts to key federal programs. These programs, such as Medicaid and the Older Americans Act, provide essential services to the community, particularly to vulnerable populations like seniors.
“The uncertainty surrounding these cuts is significant,” Wilson said. “It’s not just organizations like ours that are impacted, but the whole community. People are beginning to realize how interconnected these issues are.”
The proposed federal budget cuts, currently under discussion in Washington D.C., have raised alarms. According to Wilson, both Republican budgets propose deep reductions to Medicaid funding, potentially slashing up to nine billion dollars. Additionally, the Older Americans Act, a critical source of direct federal funding for programs supporting seniors, is up for renewal, and its future remains uncertain.
MAS, which receives about 22% of its funding from federal sources, has taken steps to diversify its financial base in an effort to minimize the impact of potential cuts. However, certain programs that rely heavily on federal funds, like the free meal service at the Missoula Senior Center, could still face significant challenges.
For local seniors such as Kathy Tollock and Trudy Pratt, the free meals are a crucial part of their daily lives. Tollock, who lives on a low income, explained that without the program, she would likely have to rely on less nutritious alternatives or visit food banks more frequently.
“I would lose my lunch,” Tollock said. “I’d probably have a cheese sandwich at home, or go to the food bank more. This lunch is really important to me.”
Pratt, who often takes home leftovers from the Senior Center’s meals to stretch her food supply, also expressed concern about the potential cuts. “I don’t know if I could afford to come here for lunch every day if the program were cut,” she said.
The future of programs like these, which provide not just nourishment but also a sense of community and security for seniors, is in jeopardy if federal funding is reduced.
While MAS remains hopeful about its ability to continue providing vital services, the organization’s leaders are closely monitoring the ongoing budget negotiations in Washington, with the hope that key funding for seniors and Medicaid will be preserved. For now, the organization remains focused on its mission of supporting the aging community in Missoula, even as they face an uncertain future.
