untitled

Since 2010 the number of older adults at nutritional risk, decreased when comparing the Rural Home Delivered Meal Program data in 2010, 28,569 meals to 2019 data, 22,570 meals. Since Covid-19 in March 2020, nutritional risk of rural older adults increased. So did the number of rural meals delivered. Prior to Covid-19 Serving Our Seniors funded an average of 1,970 meals/month from October 2019 – February 2020. From March through July 2020 the number of meals increased to 2,353 meals/month. We are expecting rural meals to increase to 2,800 meals per month with the continuation of Covid-19 and the approaching cold & flu season. Serving Our Seniors is primarily funded through the Senior Services Tax Levy. These funds are used to pay the Erie County Senior Center $8.22/meal, for cooking, packaging and delivering the meals to residents who live outside of the city of Sandusky and proximal points of Perkins Township. Rural Home Delivered Meals: It’s So Helpful Serving Our Seniors is so grateful for the grants and donations received this spring and summer from the Erie County Community Foundation and the Sidney Frohman Foundation, as well as the many, many individuals who sent in donations to support the need for more rural meals. Serving Our Seniors is primarily funded through the Senior Services Tax Levy. Every five (5) years this issue is brought before Erie County voters for approval. It will be on the November 2020 ballot as Issue #14 Senior Services Tax Levy. The Senior Services Tax levy has not increased since 2005. This is a levy renewal, plus an additional tax of .25 mills. The cost to a home owner of a $100,000.00 home is $23.28 per year. Josephine, 83, Margaretta Twp, is no longer able to cook. She said, “The meals are so helpful.” Frances, 91, Perkins Twp Esther, 77, Florence Twp. appreciates the meals and the visit from volunteers Diane and Elmer Bartel Roger, 79, Groton Twp. started receiving the meals after being discharged from the hospital. “I never learned to cook. It’s really handy and helps me out a lot.” 17