Benton County Senior Activity Center feeling the financial Stress
Posted on Sunday, July 20, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/brog/Accents/62269/
Nutritious meals, socialization and exercise are offered to older residents of the area every day the Benton County Senior Activity Center is open. Hundreds of seniors are healthier and happier because of the center and consider it their “ home away from home. ”
Vanessa Reece-Snodgrass, director of the center for the last three years, is worried about the effect the slowing economy is having on the place and its services.
“ We’ve had a sharp increase in all operating costs, ” she said. “ Gasoline prices are up by 35 percent and food at 30 percent. Services at the center are not free. They are low-cost. We need to raise about $ 120, 000 through more fundraisers, increased donations, United Way of Northwest Arkansas, grants and so forth. ”
Some changes already in place include cutting 118 hours per pay period of staff time, and rearranging and combining some van routes. To keep a route, at least five people must be riding. Home-delivered meals may have waiting lists. Most home-delivered weekend frozen meals may be eliminated with some special elderchoice exceptions.
“ We’ll be asking for more volunteers to help with some things at the center, such as the front desk, ” Reece-Snodgrass said. “ We’ve increased suggested donations for meals to $ 3 and transportation — round trip — to $ 3.
“ We’re trying to come up with ways to keep from cutting our services. We’re fortunate because some centers have had to make really drastic changes in their activities and the hours they stay open. The high cost of fuel has really hurt us. We’re hoping some of the auto dealers will help us with our transportation costs. It’s just so expensive to fill up our vans. We need something that gets better mileage. We just need to find more-efficient, less-expensive ways to transport people and get meals to folks. ”
The center’s Meals on Wheels program is far more than good food for seniors who might not otherwise have a decent meal. It’s also a wonderful way for interaction between the person receiving the food and the driver delivering the meals. The driver may be the only person a senior sees for days. Drivers and the senior meal recipients develop friendships and look forward to seeing each other.
Retired teacher Frank Pasteur has been a driver at the center for more than a year.
“ I love elderly people, ” Pasteur explained, smiling. “ I was raised by my grandparents and was around a lot of older people as I grew up. I’ve always enjoyed being around them, and I truly care about all the people receiving hot or frozen meals. I like to think I cheer them up a little, and it makes my day to visit with them.
“ It’s also a good way to check on people. When we go to their homes and they don’t answer the door, we’re very concerned. I call them on my cell phone while I’m at their front door. We keep checking on them until we know they’re OK. The people are much more than clients to us. They’re friends, and we care about them. My reward is a big hug from them when I stop by with their meals. They really appreciate the food and the friendship. ”
The center is always in need of additional volunteer divers. Pasteur said volunteers are key to the center’s success.
“ And it’s not just volunteer drivers who are needed, ” Pasteur added. “ The whole place uses volunteers — the front desk, various activities, just everything. Vanessa does a great job here. We all love her, but she could use some help. If anyone enjoys volunteering, they couldn’t find a better place to help. ”
The Benton County Senior Activity Center is at 3501 S. E. L St. in Bentonville. The phone number is 273-7348. Operated by the Office of Human Concern Inc. in partnership with the Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Arkansas, the Center is also supported by the United Way of Northwest Arkansas.