Meals on Wheels Network Grapples with Rising Senior Hunger

The four-day summit at Caesars Palace focused on the operational strain facing approximately 5,000 community-based providers. As costs rise and the population of older adults grows, organizations are shifting from stopgap measures to long-term structural changes. Ellie Hollander, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels America, emphasized that the network must move beyond simple delivery to implementing data-driven strategies that ensure services reach the most vulnerable seniors efficiently.

A central focus of the conference was the "End the Wait" initiative, which seeks to secure more robust funding models and improve policy advocacy. Beyond the strategic sessions, the event served as a model for local impact: organizers partnered with The Just One Project's Food Rescue Alliance to redistribute leftover conference food to Southern Nevada families. The organization also recognized Betty Bradley, the retiring executive director of Meals on Wheels Plus in Abilene, Texas, with the 2026 Sister Alice Marie Quinn Award for her 51 years of service.

With support from title sponsor TRIO Community Meals and various national partners, the network aims to professionalize its approach to senior isolation and hunger. The organization has already set its sights on the next iteration of the event, scheduled for August 2027 in Atlanta, where the focus will remain on scaling impact in an increasingly complex economic environment.