Several Upper Valley organizations are recipients of funding from this coming year’s state budget.
The Upper Susitna Seniors Incorporated — USSI – is set to receive $15,000 from the state legislature to start a meals-on-wheels program. The funding was somewhat of a surprise to the Seniors and they have been trying to find out whether or not the program is sustainable, and if it is even desired by people in the community. There has been discussion at different levels on how this program might be implemented. Resident Larry Dearman took the initiative to look into the paperwork it entails and what else it would take to kick start the program.
The Seniors are now in the position to ask residents if they want the program and how many would be interested. Those two factors need to be realized before the program actually begins. Dearman is hoping to get a handful of participants in order to ensure the program would be successful.
People do not necessarily need to be Food Bank recipients or senior citizens in order to be Meals on Wheels recipients. Dearman says it possible that the Meals program would be on a sliding scale depending on income. If enough people are interested in the program, Dearman says the seniors will take the steps necessary to implement the program. The Sunshine Transit service would most likely become involved with the transport of meals.
USSI is asking anyone who is interested in receiving the Meals on Wheels program to contact Larry Dearman – 841-9880.
