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| Serving Callaway County communities since 1875. | www.fultonsun.com | Saturday, July 04, 2009 |
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Utility costs strain senior center resources By ROGER MEISSEN The Fulton Sun
However, as costs rise, the center finds it harder to make ends meet. “With the utility costs so incredibly high, it's becoming increasingly difficult to pay those bills,” CCSC Administrator Patty Hinnah said. “If something doesn't change, we can foresee a time in the next few years that we may be forced to close our doors.” Those utility bills have typically cost $1,500 per month, due to increased utility rates and also the higher expense of running the center since it moved into its new building in June 2007. “Down at the old building the bills weren't anything close to that,” Hinnah said. “Of course, this is their building and they also pay for part of the groceries for the homebound program. “But, if things are like they were the last few years we'll have a net loss of right at $17,000 for the year 2008-2009.” Support for the center now comes from a variety of sources, including the Central Missouri Area Agency on Aging, the United Way, several small grants and donations. In the next year, the center will receive $11,000 from the United Way and $8,943 from the FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program. Those funds go exclusively to the meal program. The center moved into its new building adjacent to the Fulton Cinema 8, after years of being housed at the John C. Harris Community Center. “We wanted to bring in more; we wanted people to realize it's just not a Fulton thing, it's for all of Callaway County seniors,” Hinnah said. “We deliver meals all over Callaway County, as far as Holts Summit and Montgomery City.” The roots of CCSC date back to 1973 when a partnership between SERVE, Inc. and the CMAAA established the area's first programs to provide meals and other services to enhance the lives of seniors. Those programs continue with hot meals five days a week and a homebound meal program that accounts for nearly 60 percent of meals the center serves. “We deliver seven frozen meals a week to homebound seniors, including milk, bread and dessert,” Hinnah said. “Most of them do not drive, cannot get out. “If they are able to, we want them to come here so they can also have the socialization aspect,” she continued. “We run those routes almost every day of the week. A lot of them are the seniors themselves that deliver.” Blanche Leuther is one of those senior volunteers. “It really feels good to be able to help put those dessert bags together so those people can have a good-tasting, nutritious meal,” Leuther said. “I get very concerned that the homebound people just don't have meals. “I moved into town from Steedman about five years ago after my husband passed away. I know how important it is for us to have a place like the center to get nutritious meals and be able to socialize with others in the community.” The CCSC mission is about more than meals. It's a building that houses four pool tables, a library and a lounge where seniors can interact, and hosts a variety of activities that aim to foster a social atmosphere to keep seniors healthy and active. “They provide a lot of other activities for the older folks in our community,” Richey Liddle said. “They host quilting for the ladies to get together and have fellowship, hold dances for the community and offer a place for socialization for seniors in addition to their food services that are vital for many elderly people.” To bridge the financial gap, the center asks for a small donation for meals and holds frequent fundraisers. “They've been trying to do a fundraiser every weekend,” Leuther said. “We have our dinners on Saturdays once a month and assist Sears retail sale once a month on Saturday to put together a community-wide flea market in the parking lot of the Sears retail store. “We appreciate all the donations we can get. We are concerned about the utilities and the prices of food going up.” Those interested in donating time or money to the CCSC may contact the center at (573) 642-2458 for more information. |
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