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Funding needed for senior meals
THELMA GRIMES
News-Sun
Catholic Community Service officials say if Cochise County residents continue to be generous, the Senior Meals program will not be in jeopardy of closing on July 1.
Leisa Cotten, nutrition director for Catholic Community Services, said 180,000 meals are delivered annually for the homebound elderly and at senior centers in Cochise County.
But due to budget shortfalls, cutbacks are being considered in the meal-delivery service program, which is similar to the national Meals-on-Wheels program, unless $15,000 is raised by June 30, Cotten said
In May, Cotten said the fundraising goal for the year was $30,000. She said $15,000 has been raised, but to avoid cutbacks in employee or services, the remaining sum must be raised by month's end, before the start of the 2004-05 fiscal year which starts July 1.
Charles Fisher, Executive Director of Catholic Community Services, said the CCS relies heavily on donations each year.
"We are not fully funded. Arizona is one of the few states that does not fund senior nutrition programs," Fisher said. "We always have to raise money, and one of our greatest difficulties is the lack of senior citizens who can raise the funds, so we have to rely on the generosity of folks in the larger community."
Since going public with the need for funds, Cotten said more than $10,000, has been raised. A benefit golf tournament will be held at Turquoise Hills Family Golf Center in Benson on Saturday, to "hopefully" generate the remaining sum.
Cotten said at $40 a team, 22 teams signed up for the morning session, which begins at 8 a.m., noting slots remain for the 1 p.m. session, with seven teams signed up so far.
"The support we have gotten has been overwhelming," Cotten said. "The compassion has been overwhelming, but I know residents can only contribute so much. But you know, I still believe we are going to pull through this."
If cutbacks do have to be made to the program, many people throughout Cochise County will be affected. Cotten said the program delivers more than 425 meals per day countywide. Of those meals, 90 meals are served to the elderly and homebound in Benson, 75 in Bisbee, 60 in Willcox, 160 in Sierra Vista, 25 in Huachuca City and 40 in Douglas. Annually, Cotton said 5,100 meals are served throughout Tombstone.
Cotten said residents need to understand the budget shortfalls are not just in one community, they are countywide.
Fisher said not just the meals service program is a concern. Catholic Community Services offers a wide range of services and some cutbacks have already been made and there is concern that more will be needed.
"We have faced budget deficits in the past, but not as challenging as the last two years," Fisher said. "This one in particular."
In 2002, Fisher said through fundraisers and donations, Catholic Community Services received $40,000.
In 2003, donations increased to $51,000, but only because of one sizable donation made at the end of the year. So far in 2004, there has been $37,000 in donations.
Fisher said most times what happens when the budget continues to decrease is administrative costs are cut "tremendously" and most recently the marriage and family-counseling program was eliminated.
To keep the Senior Meals program active, donations can be sent to Cochise County Senior Meals Fundraising, P.O. Box 893, Benson, AZ. 85602. For information on Saturday's golf tournament contact Jim Smith at 520-586-7535.
News-Sun
Catholic Community Service officials say if Cochise County residents continue to be generous, the Senior Meals program will not be in jeopardy of closing on July 1.
Leisa Cotten, nutrition director for Catholic Community Services, said 180,000 meals are delivered annually for the homebound elderly and at senior centers in Cochise County.
But due to budget shortfalls, cutbacks are being considered in the meal-delivery service program, which is similar to the national Meals-on-Wheels program, unless $15,000 is raised by June 30, Cotten said
In May, Cotten said the fundraising goal for the year was $30,000. She said $15,000 has been raised, but to avoid cutbacks in employee or services, the remaining sum must be raised by month's end, before the start of the 2004-05 fiscal year which starts July 1.
Charles Fisher, Executive Director of Catholic Community Services, said the CCS relies heavily on donations each year.
"We are not fully funded. Arizona is one of the few states that does not fund senior nutrition programs," Fisher said. "We always have to raise money, and one of our greatest difficulties is the lack of senior citizens who can raise the funds, so we have to rely on the generosity of folks in the larger community."
Since going public with the need for funds, Cotten said more than $10,000, has been raised. A benefit golf tournament will be held at Turquoise Hills Family Golf Center in Benson on Saturday, to "hopefully" generate the remaining sum.
Cotten said at $40 a team, 22 teams signed up for the morning session, which begins at 8 a.m., noting slots remain for the 1 p.m. session, with seven teams signed up so far.
"The support we have gotten has been overwhelming," Cotten said. "The compassion has been overwhelming, but I know residents can only contribute so much. But you know, I still believe we are going to pull through this."
If cutbacks do have to be made to the program, many people throughout Cochise County will be affected. Cotten said the program delivers more than 425 meals per day countywide. Of those meals, 90 meals are served to the elderly and homebound in Benson, 75 in Bisbee, 60 in Willcox, 160 in Sierra Vista, 25 in Huachuca City and 40 in Douglas. Annually, Cotton said 5,100 meals are served throughout Tombstone.
Cotten said residents need to understand the budget shortfalls are not just in one community, they are countywide.
Fisher said not just the meals service program is a concern. Catholic Community Services offers a wide range of services and some cutbacks have already been made and there is concern that more will be needed.
"We have faced budget deficits in the past, but not as challenging as the last two years," Fisher said. "This one in particular."
In 2002, Fisher said through fundraisers and donations, Catholic Community Services received $40,000.
In 2003, donations increased to $51,000, but only because of one sizable donation made at the end of the year. So far in 2004, there has been $37,000 in donations.
Fisher said most times what happens when the budget continues to decrease is administrative costs are cut "tremendously" and most recently the marriage and family-counseling program was eliminated.
To keep the Senior Meals program active, donations can be sent to Cochise County Senior Meals Fundraising, P.O. Box 893, Benson, AZ. 85602. For information on Saturday's golf tournament contact Jim Smith at 520-586-7535.
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