WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) have introduced legislation that helps cut costs for volunteers driving meals to older Maine people and Americans across the country. The Delivering Elderly Lunches and Increasing Volunteer Engagement and Reimbursement (DELIVER) Act would increase the charitable mileage tax deduction rate of 14 cents per mile to match the standard business rate of 67 cents per mile. By doing so, the legislation would bring equity and fairness to the millions of Americans who volunteer their time and resources to deliver meals and would help ensure that meal delivery programs —such as Meals on Wheels — remain strong and can continue to assist those in need.

According to 2022 data from Meals on Wheels America, 102,021 seniors in Maine are living alone while 54,030 are threatened by hunger and 31,756 live in or near poverty. Meal delivery programs can be crucial in allowing seniors to maintain the choice to continue living independently in the comfort and safety of their own home.

In addition to promoting a higher quality of life, helping vulnerable individuals remain at home has beneficial financial implications too. According to Meals on Wheels America, it costs less to provide a senior Meals on Wheels for an entire year than it costs to spend one day in the hospital or ten days in a nursing home. Additionally, providing homebound individuals with meal delivery may help reduce mandatory Medicaid and Medicare expenses each year.

“Home-delivered meals can a be a lifeline for Maine seniors, allowing them to live independently and comfortably in their homes and communities,” said Senator King. “Meal delivery services not only provide a fresh, healthy meal, but they also provide connection and peace of mind for loved ones. These services are vital for so many Maine people. The bipartisan DELIVER Act would make a small adjustment to our tax code to help ensure delivery programs remain strong and decrease the financial burden felt by those who generously volunteer their time.”

“For decades, charitable organizations and faith-based groups have provided meals to seniors in communities across Texas,” said Senator Cornyn. “By removing barriers for folks willing to offer their time and resources to help others, more Texans in need can receive food, and these important charities can grow their network of volunteers."

Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Representatives Joe Morelle (D-NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).

Representing one of the oldest states in the country, Senator King is consistently working to address the issues facing Maine seniors. In the American Rescue Plan, which passed 50 to 49 in 2021, King secured $10 billion in broadband funding to help more Maine seniors access life-saving services like tele-health. The legislation also contained funding to quickly vaccinate older Americans, and to lower the costs of healthcare. Senator King has also worked to increase prescription drug price transparency, expand tele-health services, and spoke on the Senate floor in support of expanded homecare services in the Build Back Better proposal. He also has introduced bipartisan legislation to help improve critical quality-of-life service and programs for American seniors.

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