Saco Food Pantry and Age Friendly Saco Seek Increased City Funding for Community Support

Saco City Council is poised to enhance community support for its aging population and food security initiatives following a recent meeting that highlighted critical funding needs. The council heard compelling testimonies from representatives of Age Friendly Saco and the Saco Food Pantry, emphasizing the importance of increased financial support to address pressing community challenges.

Age Friendly Saco, which serves a significant portion of the city's residents aged 55 and older, reported on the successful acquisition of a $10,000 community connections grant. This funding facilitated emergency preparedness sessions at the Dyer Library, attracting 83 attendees. The sessions provided essential resources, including emergency backpacks filled with survival items and informative talks from local officials on emergency protocols and available community resources. However, the organization stressed that without additional funding, their ability to continue providing vital services could be jeopardized.

Nancy Drisco, treasurer of Age Friendly Saco, urged the council to consider increasing funding for their operations. She highlighted the unsustainable workload of their Executive Director, who often works excessive hours to meet the growing needs of the community. Drisco emphasized that without the support of Age Friendly Saco, many residents would face increased isolation and lack of access to necessary services, ultimately placing more burdens on the city.

In addition to the discussions surrounding aging services, the Saco Food Pantry also faces significant challenges due to funding cuts at the state level and a decline in donations. The pantry's ability to provide food to those experiencing food insecurity is at risk, prompting calls for the council to support their funding requests.

The council's response to these urgent appeals will be crucial in shaping the future of community support services in Saco. As the city grapples with the needs of its aging population and food insecurity, the decisions made in the coming weeks will have lasting implications for the well-being of its residents.