Funding crisis threatens vital transit and nutrition services

Bridal County's Voluntary Action Center (VAC) has reported significant achievements in its transit and nutrition programs, driven by state and federal funding. During a recent government meeting, representatives outlined the operations of their Kendall and DeKalb County transit programs, which collectively provided over 87,000 rides in the past fiscal year. The Kendall program alone accounted for more than 32,000 rides, primarily serving seniors and individuals with disabilities through a door-to-door service model.

In addition to transit services, VAC operates multiple nutrition programs, including Meals on Wheels, which delivered over 250,000 meals annually across LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties. The organization emphasized that funding for these programs comes from separate grants, ensuring that resources are allocated independently for each county.

A key topic of discussion was the funding structure for the transit programs. The largest portion of funding is derived from the Downstate Operating Assistance Program, which allocated $3.06 million this year. However, VAC was only able to utilize $1.16 million of these funds due to matching requirements with federal and local municipal contributions. The organization is seeking to increase local funding to enhance service capacity and maximize state funding.

VAC representatives highlighted the importance of managing program costs, noting that the average cost per ride is $55.70, with funding sources split among state, federal, and municipal contributions. The meeting underscored the need for ongoing support to sustain and expand these vital community services, particularly as ridership rebounds to pre-pandemic levels.