LOUISVILLE, Ky. — According to U.S. Money Reserve, people 65 and older made up 17.5% of Kentucky's population as of 2022.

That's up from 14% in 2012, causing greater demand in social services such as Louisville's Meals on Wheels.

"Since COVID has hit, initially, we've seen a 27% increase in the client need, and that continues to just go up, especially in the West End or areas where we see more food deserts throughout Louisville," said Eric DeMunbrun, Louisville Metro Senior Nutrition volunteer coordinator. 

This year, Meals on Wheels provided nearly 200,000 meals to homebound and disabled seniors.

"We kind of see a greater and greater need as more people are aging and are unable to access the food they need," DeMunbrun said. "That's becoming a huge issue ... just all across Louisville in general with the aging population growing." 

The increase in demand is stretching volunteers thin, resulting in some seniors waiting to receive meals. That's exactly why Meals on Wheels needs more volunteers, especially in Louisville's West End. For neighborhoods such as Shawnee and Shively, DeMunbrun said he estimates they need five to 10 additional volunteers. 

"There's always a need for volunteers with this program, especially with the West End area, Shawnee, Shively, those areas where they're in maybe more of a food desert and they don't have access to the same resources," he said. "That makes it really difficult for them to access the regular nutrients and general resources that they would need." 

The Louisville Metro’s Senior Nutrition Program served more than 2,700 individuals this year through both Meals on Wheels and congregate meal sites.