Council on Aging "Meals On Wheels" needs funds

The Council on Aging Meals on Wheels Program is looking at possibly losing 40 meals per day unless the Council on Aging finds $27,500 in the next couple of months.

Like the Boy Scouts, the Vermilion Milk Fund and the Chrisstian Service Center, who all experienced grant donation cuts from the United Way of Acadiana, the parish’s Council on Aging also had a decrease in funds from the United Way of Acadiana.

In the past, the United Way awarded at least a $45,000 grant to the Council on Aging. Of the money, $35,000 was used to fund the Meals on Wheels program.

The donated money is used to help fund the meals, packaging supplies and delivering the meals.

The program provided a free meal to 280 citizens five days a week.

In January of 2009, 1,382 meals were served at centers and 4,747 were delivered across the parish.

The $10,000 from the United Way of Acadiana funded a program used to help give elderly a bath.

The “A Bather” program is also on the verge of being axed due to lack of funds.

This year, the Council on Aging received word the United Way will only be awarding the parish organization $17,500 - a shortfall of $27,500.

“A large number of elderly citizens depend on these meals daily,” said Rachael August, the director of the Council on Aging. “If not replacement funding is found, meals will have to be cut along indirect cuts to other programs.”

The good news is that the Council on Aging is not just going to do nothing about the loss of the money.

The organization is about to launch the “Save Our Seniors” Fundraiser.

The Council on Aging is handing out yellow paper lifesavers to businesses, including banks and restaurants. Each time a person donates money, their name is written on the lifesaver and the yellow paper is taped on a window or wall of the business.

The Council on Aging is also holding a raffle with prices being $300, $200, $100 and $50. The raffle will be held May 27 at the St. Theresa Center. Tickets are on sale for a $1.

For more information about donating funds or purchasing a raffle ticket, they can call 893-2563.