Finney County Senior Center seeks funding for minibus and facility upgrades

The Finney County Commission held a special session on May 12, 2025, focusing on the services provided by the Finney County Committee on Aging, particularly through the Meals on Wheels program and other senior services. The meeting highlighted the importance of these programs in supporting the community's elderly population.

The session began with a presentation on Meals on Wheels, which delivers meals and wellness checks to homebound residents. In 2024, the program delivered over 25,000 meals, with nearly 10,000 going to low-income clients. The program offers a sliding scale for meal costs and provides free meals to those in need. Additionally, the senior center serves "friendship meals" for seniors who can visit the center.

The discussion also covered various activities available at the senior center, including Medicare counseling, exercise classes, and legal aid services. Notably, a representative from Kansas Legal Aid offers free legal assistance to seniors, helping with wills and power of attorney documents. The center also distributes commodities to low-income community members every other month.

Transportation services were another key topic, with the Finney County Transit program providing nearly 13,000 rides in 2024, primarily for medical appointments. The need for a new minibus was emphasized, as the current buses have exceeded recommended mileage limits and costs for new buses have significantly increased since 2020.

The meeting addressed the need for renovations at the senior center, which has not been updated since its opening in the 1970s. Plans for making the facility more accessible and inviting for seniors were discussed, along with ongoing fundraising efforts to support these improvements.

Commissioners expressed support for the health department's involvement in providing resources to seniors, noting the importance of building connections between seniors and health professionals. The session concluded with a call for community members to take advantage of the services offered, reinforcing the commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Finney County's senior residents.