Missouri Governor directs millions to Missouri seniors as shutdown hits aging services
MISSOURI (KBSI) – As the federal government shutdown stretches on, Missouri’s older residents and the agencies designed to support them are feeling the strain.
The Missouri Area of Agencies on Aging serves approximately 250,000 individuals annually. The federally funded program enables the agency to help aging Missourians live safely and independently in their communities.
Julie Peetz is the Executive Director of the Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
Peetz shares that their entire agency is federally funded and they’ve already begun to see challenges because of the government shutdown.
“We had across the state, we’ve seen some of our senior centers close, we’ve had other senior centers cut back their service hours, we’ve seen some staff furloughs” says Peetz. “It’s just heartbreaking and so, the consequence to that, of course, means that there’s less meals for seniors, less care for seniors, less care for caregivers.”
As of yesterday October 29, 2025, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced expedited funding for seniors and food assistance.
10.6 million will transfer from the Senior Services Growth and Development fund to Missouri Area of Agencies on Aging and 5 million to be distributed to Missouri foodbanks.
Peetz says although this will greatly help Missouri’s seniors it’s not a full solution.
“We are really fortunate here in Missouri to have Governor Kehoe, who’s always shown his commitment to protecting seniors” says Peetz and this funding offers a lifeline to help us sort of keep the lights on. But it’s not really a long-term solution.”
Peetz says now is the time to help the seniors in your community.
She recommends volunteering at a local senior center or meals on wheels program and just checking in, as more cuts could come to programs seniors use if the shutdown continues.
