RSSThe cupboard is bare
Senior Nutrition/Meals on Wheels will shut down its meal program for two weeks next month if additional funding is not found, depriving seniors of opportunities for friendship and foodYakima Herald-Republic
From left, Dorothea Marshall, Tilly Bell, Rose Marie Nailor, and Lucille Humphrey chat before lunch at the Union Gap Senior Center at Ahtanum Park, one of the sites where the Senior Nutrition Meals on Wheels of Yakima County provides lunch for seniors. "Its home away from home," says Bell, a thought echoed by those around her who say that for them, the best part of eating lunch at the senior center is socializing with their friends. If the program, which is facing budget shortcomings, can't raise money, it will stop serving lunch at its various sites for the last two weeks of December.
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UNION GAP -- Tilly Bell relishes her weekly outings to the Union Gap Senior Center. It's her hangout, a place where she eats lunch, plays bingo and socializes with friends.
"I love it. It's home away from home," said the 86-year-old Yakima resident. "The food is good most of the time. I'm glad I don't have to cook."
But due to funding woes, this meal site and 13 others in Yakima County will close just in time for Christmas unless an additional $16,000 to $20,000 is raised in the next two weeks.
The nutrition program would resume in January, when the new grant-funding cycle begins. In the meantime, steps are being taken to prevent future shortfalls, including applying for a nonprofit status to encourage donations and establishing a Senior Advocacy Coalition to investigate revenue sources.
But that doesn't solve the problem at hand, said Jerry Baldoz, director of Senior Nutrition/Meals on Wheels of Yakima County.
"Sleep doesn't come easy any more. I'm worried," Baldoz said about the potential two-week closure. "We had no idea of what would happen to us."
Rising food costs
There are many reasons for the financial shortfall, Baldoz said. One is that revenue isn't keeping up with costs. Another is that donations are at an all-time low.
This year's budget for the nutrition program is $607,000. Most of that comes from the federal government. About 4 percent comes from Yakima County in the form of an in-kind donation toward a kitchen. Less than 1 percent comes from donations.
The federal grant is expected to increase by 2.5 percent to $617,000, which will still fall short, Baldoz said.
According to his calculations, the price of food has increased from 25 percent to 47 percent over the past year alone. Ground beef, for example, went from $1.53 a pound to about $1.90 a pound, while the cost of an eight-ounce serving of milk went from 17 cents to about 25 cents.
Other factors that hurt Baldoz's budget were high fuel costs, repairs to aging vehicles and the decline in donations. He had projected receiving $80,000 in donations from seniors eating the meals, but will instead receive about $50,000, he said.
"Fuel costs are coming down, but it's too late to help us now," he said, adding that he refuses to ask seniors for more help. "They are a very proud group of people. If you'd ask them, they'd stop eating meals. That's counterproductive."
Senior Nutrition/Meals on Wheels of Yakima County serves a yearly average of 400 meals a week at meal sites between Naches and Grandview and an additional 150 meals a week in home deliveries, Baldoz said.
Cuts have already taken place to help sustain the program. Several job positions have gradually been merged over the past several years, while about five others have yet to be filled this year. Volunteers aren't used too often anymore, Baldoz said, simply because they're either unavailable or undependable.
Frozen food has replaced hot food in home deliveries -- which have been decreased from four times to one time a week. Cheaper cuts of meat are also being purchased, such as buying whole chickens instead of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, Baldoz said.
Still, more needs to be done.
"We had no idea of what would happen to us this year," he said. "It's hit everybody off guard."
Seeking friendships
Just the thought of the Union Gap Senior Center shutting down its meal program next month is devastating for Lucille Humphrey and her friend, Rose Marie Nailor. Visiting the center for lunch has become a routine for the two Yakima residents, who say they enjoy sharing a meal with others.
But for seniors who live on fixed incomes, they said the meal program is even more of a necessity.
"I think it'll hurt a lot of people who eat here all the time," said Nailor, 80. "It's pretty possible they can't get good meals at home."
Based on surveys, Baldoz said most seniors visit the meal sites for fellowship and companionship. Without interacting with other people, Baldoz said there's a real danger seniors will become shut-ins.
"They don't eat and their health goes straight down the tubes," he said. "If you don't have other people in your life, what do you have?"
To help prevent future problems, Baldoz is already brainstorming new funding strategies. He's learned from experience that most people don't relish giving to government agencies. Even foundations, like the Yakima Valley Community Foundation, will only give to nonprofit groups, he said.
That's why Baldoz is completing the application process to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a move that will allow people to write off donations on their tax forms.
He's also helping form a Senior Advocacy Coalition of community leaders. Not only will they work on funding mechanisms for the senior nutrition program, they will also tackle such issues as elder abuse, transportation and health.
Tim Sullivan has already pledged his support. As community investment director for United Way, he said he's familiar with the community's diverse needs and would like to help find solutions.
"It's a good time to form a coalition," he said, adding that a lot can be done by pooling resources. "We need a common voice."
State Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, also supports the efforts of the task force. Although there's no additional legislative money to help senior programs -- at least for now -- he's optimistic much can be accomplished when people commit to achieving the same goal.
"When it comes to making a choice, we have to help people who can't take care of themselves," he said.
Lack of money is a constant struggle, Baldoz said. Unless something changes, he fears the future of Yakima County's senior programs are in jeopardy.
"I'm hopeful it can make a difference," he said about the coalition. "Funding problems won't go away. It has to be dealt with."
* Erin Snelgrove can be reached at 577-7684 or esnelgrove@yakimaherald.com.
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