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Council on Aging reports growth in Meals on Wheels, transportation and volunteer support
Summary
The Council on Aging told commissioners it delivered roughly 30,000 meals in Q3 and expects about 115,000 meals this year; transportation services expanded in southern county areas and the organization launched a community pantry and a new friendly-visitors program.
The Leavenworth County Council on Aging reported rising service levels in its third-quarter presentation, saying Meals on Wheels deliveries and transportation services expanded while volunteers provided significant in-kind value.
Connie reported the Council expects to deliver roughly 115,000 Meals on Wheels this year and delivered about 30,000 meals in the third quarter. She said 191 clients started Meals on Wheels year-to-date while a similar number ceased service (moved into nursing homes, died, or moved with family); the current wait list stood at three people, who staff expected to place on routes the following week.
Transportation services added nearly 50 clients in Q3. Connie said 68 riders came from Tonganoxie, Seabaster, Lynnwood, Bonner Springs, McLeod and Easton for about 500 rides in Q3, representing expanded southern-county service. She explained transportation is a fee-for-service program partially subsidized by the county mill levy for driver salaries; out-of-county, medically necessary trips (for example, stroke rehabilitation or chemotherapy) are scheduled and billed differently.
Connie said volunteers — about 148 in number — saved the county an estimated $86,000 in the last quarter and about $327,000 year-to-date through meal delivery and other services. She also described service changes after funding losses: the Council lost a FEMA grant and half of its farmers-market vouchers; in response, it opened a community pantry that residents regularly use for food and basic supplies. The Council also launched a “friendly visitors” program that pairs vetted volunteers with isolated seniors for additional check-ins.
Commissioners asked operational questions: officials confirmed the transportation main dispatch number (provided in the presentation) and that the Council operates a fleet of 31 vehicles, roughly half assigned to transportation and half to Meals on Wheels. Connie said approximately 80% of rides require accessible vehicles equipped with ramps or lifts and that rides are door-to-door.
Why it matters: The Council on Aging subsidizes essential services for homebound and older residents; rising demand, volunteer reliance and grant cuts affect service planning and the county budget.
Next steps: Council staff will place the three waiting clients on routes and continue monitoring funding gaps while expanding outreach to southern parts of the county.
