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Senior Meals program in great need
Thelma Grimes
San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Because only $7,000 of the $34,000 needed has been raised, Leisa Cotten of Catholic Community Services is concerned the senior meals program will no longer be able to provide food to homebound citizens.
The program, similar to the national Meals on Wheels, has provided meals to residents of Cochise County for more than 25 years.
The program serves about 50 people per day in Benson, 130 in Sierra Vista, 50 in Bisbee, 65 in Willcox and 20 in Tombstone. In a month, Cotten said the program serves 9,165 senior and disabled citizens, which equals about 110,000 meals a year.
Norma Finlay, a 17-year Benson resident said she's been benefiting from the program for years.
"I am an 80-year-old woman with osteoporisos, which is real painful at times," she said. "There are times when I think my get up and go has flew away. At my age I feel so appreciative of the senior meals program. I'm so glad someone cares. I give thanks for all the senior workers. Without this program I would probably be stuck eating cans of soup for breakfast, lunch and dinner."
With a goal of $34,000 to avoid cutting the number of meals served, Cotten said they have raised far less than last year at this time.
"There are just too many things going on in May," she said. "There are graduations, other golf tournaments and just a lot happening. All of it could be playing a part in it."
Compared with last year, Cotten said the number of private donations is way down, and she is still looking to the communities throughout the county to provide assistance.
Bisbee and Willcox have already pledged $4,200, Cotten said, but she still has to talk to the city officials in Sierra Vista, Douglas and Benson.
In getting the funds that have already been raised, Cotten said it wouldn't have been possible without the assistance of Benson's VFW Post 6271.
Each year Cotten has had to cut back her staff and switch to volunteers, which means community assistance is needed for fund raising.
Besides requesting assistance, Cotten said they are hoping to raise half the money, or around $15,000, during the annual golf tournament, set for Saturday, May 5. However, the tournament is still 10 teams short and they are looking for more participants, she said.
The tournament will have plenty of prizes for play, along with raffles, which includes two six-month golf packages worth $1,000 each. One package is offered by the San Pedro Golf Course and one by the Turquoise Hills Family Golf Center, which is where the tournament will be held.
Cotten said there will be a chance for competitors to win $15,000 by getting a hole-in-one as well and an eight-day Hawaiian vacation for two.
To sign up for the tournament, call Nelda at 520-586-0231. To make a donation to the senior meals program contact Cotten at 586-9775.
Donations will be accepted in anticipation of meeting the $34,000 goal until June 30. If the goal is not met, the program will likely cut back on the number of meals being served each year, Cotten said.
San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Because only $7,000 of the $34,000 needed has been raised, Leisa Cotten of Catholic Community Services is concerned the senior meals program will no longer be able to provide food to homebound citizens.
The program, similar to the national Meals on Wheels, has provided meals to residents of Cochise County for more than 25 years.
The program serves about 50 people per day in Benson, 130 in Sierra Vista, 50 in Bisbee, 65 in Willcox and 20 in Tombstone. In a month, Cotten said the program serves 9,165 senior and disabled citizens, which equals about 110,000 meals a year.
Norma Finlay, a 17-year Benson resident said she's been benefiting from the program for years.
"I am an 80-year-old woman with osteoporisos, which is real painful at times," she said. "There are times when I think my get up and go has flew away. At my age I feel so appreciative of the senior meals program. I'm so glad someone cares. I give thanks for all the senior workers. Without this program I would probably be stuck eating cans of soup for breakfast, lunch and dinner."
With a goal of $34,000 to avoid cutting the number of meals served, Cotten said they have raised far less than last year at this time.
"There are just too many things going on in May," she said. "There are graduations, other golf tournaments and just a lot happening. All of it could be playing a part in it."
Compared with last year, Cotten said the number of private donations is way down, and she is still looking to the communities throughout the county to provide assistance.
Bisbee and Willcox have already pledged $4,200, Cotten said, but she still has to talk to the city officials in Sierra Vista, Douglas and Benson.
In getting the funds that have already been raised, Cotten said it wouldn't have been possible without the assistance of Benson's VFW Post 6271.
Each year Cotten has had to cut back her staff and switch to volunteers, which means community assistance is needed for fund raising.
Besides requesting assistance, Cotten said they are hoping to raise half the money, or around $15,000, during the annual golf tournament, set for Saturday, May 5. However, the tournament is still 10 teams short and they are looking for more participants, she said.
The tournament will have plenty of prizes for play, along with raffles, which includes two six-month golf packages worth $1,000 each. One package is offered by the San Pedro Golf Course and one by the Turquoise Hills Family Golf Center, which is where the tournament will be held.
Cotten said there will be a chance for competitors to win $15,000 by getting a hole-in-one as well and an eight-day Hawaiian vacation for two.
To sign up for the tournament, call Nelda at 520-586-0231. To make a donation to the senior meals program contact Cotten at 586-9775.
Donations will be accepted in anticipation of meeting the $34,000 goal until June 30. If the goal is not met, the program will likely cut back on the number of meals being served each year, Cotten said.
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