Area seniors facing meal reduction

OSBURN — Shoshone County has always done well to serve and take care of its most at-risk residents, and it looks like it’s time to step up once again.

Silver Valley Meals on Wheels program director Darrell Lemieux was recently informed that of the 77 seniors he regularly prepares and delivers meals — 17 of them would be reduced from seven meals a week down to just five. Eliminating the two meals that are provided additionally on Thursdays and Fridays to be heated up and eaten over the weekend.

According to Lemieux, the edict came down from the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) — a group that operates in six different regions throughout the state under the guidance of the Idaho Commission on Aging — that effective Nov. 1, they can only receive five meals per week.

According to Lemieux, these 17 people are those who do not qualify for Medicare — for whatever reason — and that lack of supplemental funding is the reason behind the reduction.

A change of this nature is entirely new territory for Meals on Wheels — since Lemieux took over as director four years ago, they have always been able to provide seven meals per week.

“These people still need to eat,” Lemieux told the News-Press. “What we’re doing now is letting them know that this is coming, but in reality, it’s already come.”

Lemieux has continued to feed all 77 people, using some of the money from the Meals on Wheels savings, but at $6 per meal, that money could run out fast.

“Last year, we raised a lot of funds from donations and did very well with that, but this place has never really had a budget, and I don’t know how long we could sustain feeding these extra people without the money we are reimbursed,” he said. “But we can’t sustain that for very long.”

Right now, Lemieux said that they can likely get through the end of the year — but after that, they would have to cut people off.

AAA reimburses $4.50 on the meals, which leaves $1.50 for the Meals on Wheels program to pick up — unless the person receiving food is on Medicare.

David Brandt, a public outreach manager for Idaho Commission on Aging explained that the agency has very little say in the amount of money that is available — only how it gets dispersed to the various AAA regions.

“We work with the AAAs around the state and we have a certain amount of funding that goes out to each of them and then they are responsible for their budgeting and how the money gets distributed,” Brandt explained.

This decision comes just seven months after Gov. Brad Little signed a proclamation in accordance with the new House Bill 687, recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Senior Nutrition Program — a program that funds local agencies and nonprofit organizations that serve home-delivered and congregate meals to help older adults and people with disabilities gain opportunities to maintain their health and independence.

Signed in late March, House Bill 687 is an appropriation bill for the Commission on Aging and includes $5 million for Idaho senior centers, as well as $720,000 in funding to improve access to care for vulnerable seniors and direct support for their caregivers.

The $5 million for senior center support was to be used for grants to the various senior centers to upgrade meal site locations that will improve services, safety and efficiency, however, the funds also were provided to give additional support for home-delivered meals like Meals on Wheels for the next 12 months.

Silver Valley Meals on Wheels did receive $10,000 from this pot of money, but that money was spent to purchase a new van to deliver the food — a vital part of the entire process.

Meals on Wheels does utilize several different outreach opportunities for their patrons, including their annual Festival of Trees fundraiser and the Tree of Sharing.

The Festival of Trees has already begun this year, and people are encouraged to decorate a tree or wreath and donate it to the senior center to be raffled.

The Tree of Sharing is organized by Sue Jensen and allows people to come into the senior center and donate items like gloves, hats, blankets, and other needed items during the colder months.

Last year, through several rounds of generous donations, the program was able to rescue the program from near-extinction and now it looks like the community may be called upon again to ensure that those most vulnerable among us can enjoy the simple comfort of a quality meal.

All donations to the Silver Valley Meals on Wheels program are tax-deductible, and can be made to Silver Valley Senior Center in person at 726 E. Mullan Ave., Osburn. Or by mail by sending your donation to P.O. Box 887, Osburn, ID 83849.

For more information on any of the outreach opportunities, please contact the Silver Valley Senior Center at 208-752-1194.