Local News
More cuts for senior programs
Senior Nutrition sites hit again
DUNCAN — Over 400 senior citizens of Stephens county receive daily nourishment from senior nutrition sites. In the eight counties that ASCOG services, over 2500 seniors receive hot meals, which amounts to 5.23 percent of the population over 60. Additionally, Delta Nutrition provided over 130 thousand meals in 2008 in Stephens County.
Many seniors depend on the meals served, whether it be from the nutrition sites, or home delivery. North Duncan nutrition site Director, Janis Pollock said “ We prepare meals five days a week, and in those five days, we make over 800 meals.”
Supportive Service Director for ASCOG, Ken Jones received more bad news concerning potential funding for the nutrition program. Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd Meachem, announced Tuesday there would be an additional five percent cut to all services. ASCOG and Delta Nutrition get their funding from the Department of Human Services.
“We thought the economy was leveling out, we had a better month in November, but that is not the case in December. We received word that there will be more budget cuts for the months of December, and January.” Jones said.
Jones expects drastic measures will be taken if even more budget cuts occur for the nutrition centers. “If we get cut more, there will be people laid off at nutrition sites and the amount of meals we prepare will be reduced, but we will not close any nutrition sites” Jones said.
Jones stresses that the senior nutrition centers are not the only place for seniors to get hot meals. “We are not the only game in town, if we don’t have the resources to feed them, we will direct them to somewhere they can be fed.”
“We are looking for ways to cut costs, one of them is to use prepackaged meals as opposed to preparing them daily.” Jones said.
Jones said churches, volunteers, and private contributors have come out in droves to support the nutrition program. “In Ringling, our employees were on furlough for one day a week, but the community really stepped up, especially churches, and funded them, so they can serve meals five days a week.”
Project Director for the Nutrition program, Dan Lowrance said “We have had our budget reduced by 30 percent this year, we are already relying on volunteers. I find it ironic they are cutting a program that saves the state money. It costs $30 to feed someone through the nutrition site every month, and well over $100 a month to put them in a nursing home.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can go to any of the area centers, or call Lowrance at 580-255-3967.
Connie Sanner volunteers in Duncan’s north nutrition center located at 1110 N. Seventh Street. She delivers meals to seniors who aren’t able to get out. Sanner said “Sometimes when we deliver meals, we are the only contact that person has.”
Jones is not optimistic about the current economic situation. “There is no sign in Oklahoma saying it will get any better, we are going to become even more dependent on volunteers. But no one will starve to death on our watch.”
— David Laughlin is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 144, or via e-mail at david.laughlin@duncanbanner.com.
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