Among the protesters, Peggy Hartman sat in a wheelchair with an assistance dog at her side and a sign in her lap reading “Will work for food.”

The demonstrators wanted to know why the Department of Human Services has cut $7.4 million from the nutrition programs, which provide congregate and home-delivered meals.

State agencies have been cutting their budgets as a result of declining revenue.

Tulsa Area Agency on Aging Director Clark Miller said three nutrition sites in the Tulsa area have closed: Prairie Village in Owasso, Country Club Gardens in Tulsa and Red Bud Village in Glenpool.

In addition, home-delivered meals will be reduced by about 50 percent, or 110,000 a year, he said. Eight people have been laid off, and nine employees have had their hours reduced, Miller said.

The crowd at the Capitol booed when they learned that Gov. Brad Henry would not attend the rally.

Secretary of State Susan Savage, who spoke on his behalf, said the governor had a previous commitment. She said Henry is committed to finding a solution to the meals issue.

Marjorie Lyons of Broken Arrow, president of the Oklahoma chapter of the AARP, said Wednesday was a sad and shameful day for Oklahoma.

“Oklahoma’s greatest generation is now fighting hunger,” she said.

About 400 people attended the rally. Many yelled questions at speakers and voiced their displeasure with how the

Rebekah Williams of Sulphur called the cuts a moral issue.

She held up a picture of her 82-year-old father, who died two years ago. She said he was able to live at home an additional three years because of the senior nutrition program.

“There are so many out there just like him,” Williams said as tears streamed down her cheeks.

House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, is set to meet with older residents next week. He issued a statement after the rally, which he did not attend.

“There are a number of tough decisions ahead, and we are monitoring the budget situation and the cuts that are required to balance our budget closely to determine the impact on all Oklahomans, especially our most vulnerable,” Benge said.

“The first quarter of state collections this fiscal year came in 30 percent below expectations, and reduced revenues of that magnitude require that difficult decisions be made in all areas of government. We stand ready to make those tough decisions.”

Speakers told the crowd that a deal had been reached to solve the nutrition program problem by tapping the state’s “rainy day” fund to restore the money to the Department of Human Services.

Henry’s spokesman, Paul Sund, said no agreements have been reached but that options have been discussed.

Meanwhile, Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, criticized the Department of Human Services for giving raises totaling $196,560 a year to top staff members before the cuts were announced.

The raises, given about a year ago, were part of a five-year plan to get DHS wages in line with those for similar jobs in other agencies, DHS Director Howard Hendrick said.