Staff Report

Any recipient of federal grants and loans – nationwide – is feeling the impact of the Trump Administration’s freeze on federal funds that was issued Monday. It’s a bit unclear whether the freeze is still in place but if it is, recipients include numerous nonprofits such as local Senior Activity Centers.

Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO) receives federal funding from the Older Americans Act (OAA).

Funding includes:

• Day out: $7,426.64;
• Congregate Meals: $13,737.23; and
  
• Home Delivered Meals: $9,017.23.
• Total: $30,181.10

LARSO Executive Director Jacci Gruninger explained that these cuts could impact the senior centers unless the State and County supplement any monies that might be halted.

Gruninger said the senior organization’s budget is funded partially by the OAA as noted above but the majority of its funds comes from the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) and Los Alamos County as well as donations. The ALTSD department’s budget will be presented to the state legislature for approval during the 60-day session now underway.

The freeze on funding has stirred massive confusion; a federal judge put a temporary block to the freeze before the administration’s Office of Management and Budget sent out a memo rescinding that freeze Wednesday only to have the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt post on X confirming that the freeze was, in fact, in effect.

For more information, call 505.551.4073 or email casemanagment@losalalmosseniorcenter.com.