The Missouri House of Representatives has agreed to allocate more than $2 million in additional funding for meal programs which provide meal services to help those men and women who are elderly, homebound, disabled, frail or at risk.

The programs originally were slated to be increased by $1.4 million in the proposed House budget for 2006, but that amount was amended April 12 to include an additional appropriation of $622,685. The amendment was approved 155-0.

“These great programs provide hot, nutritious meals to the sick and elderly in need,” Rep. Walt Bivins, R-Oakville, stated in a news release. “The actions taken by the House will provide nearly 345,000 additional meals in fiscal year 2006.”

The figure is based on a Department of Health and Senior Services simulation which estimated the cost per meal to be $5.80.

“This additional funding for meal programs will be greatly appreciated by the elderly and disabled constituents in my district and across the state,” Bivins stated.