Federal funding cuts leave Meals on Wheels holding the bag on senior breakfast program

by Jayden McKenzie, Contra Costa Youth Journalism November 30, 2025November 25, 2025

Ethel Brotten, 84, of Martinez was a recipient of the Meals on Wheels Breakfast Bag program until it was recently discontinued due to lack of funding. "I am a diabetic also, so making sure that I get my meals helps me during the day," said Brotten, who now skips breakfast. (Meals on Wheels Diablo Region via CCSpin)

SENIORS LIVING IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY — not unlike other older individuals across the country — are facing new challenges this fall: How to find nutritional meals that are no longer delivered to their homes.

Jayden Mckenzie is a junior at Deer Valley High School in Antioch and a member of Contra Costa Youth Journalism. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)

This is because Meals on Wheels Diablo Region is in the process of exploring solutions to support its “Breakfast Bag” program, which ended in October due to federal funding cuts. The loss of aid reportedly caused a $750,000 shortfall for the organization.

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