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Lawrence County approves $5,630 subsidy to extend senior grocery trips
Summary
The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners approved a $5,630 allocation to extend a program that subsidizes rides for residents 65 and older to grocery stores, farmers markets and food pantries; presenters said the service increased trip frequency and served 59 unduplicated riders in 2024.
The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to allocate $5,630 for an annual program that subsidizes senior citizens’ rides to grocery stores, farmers markets and food pantries.
Vanessa Lovely, a representative of Lawrence County Social Services, told the board the county funds would be matched against nearly $45,000 in projected subsidy from the senior citizen program and would keep the rider fare at $1 per trip for residents age 65 and older who travel anywhere inside Lawrence County.
“...for 2025, we're asking for $5,630. And what that would be used for is, Lawrence County Social Services would pay acts, the, a a portion of our senior citizens who reside in Lawrence County, age 65 or over, who are riding with acts to the grocery store, the food pantry, or a farmer's market,” Lovely said. She added that the program lets seniors shop more frequently and access fresher food.
Lovely reported the program served 59 unduplicated residents in 2024 who took 3,192 trips — 72 more trips than projected — and the department projects serving 68 residents for about 3,384 trips in 2025. She said trip frequency varies by rider: “Some go weekly, some go several times per month, and some might only go once per month.”
Commissioners asked how destinations are chosen; Lovely said passengers request specific stores when they reserve rides and the service takes them to the requested location. Commissioners also confirmed the allocation is an annual line-item typically included in the county budget.
The board approved the resolution by roll call vote; commissioners present voted yes and the motion carried.
The allocation is intended to keep the program’s $1 per-trip fare intact and to support continued access to food for older residents across Lawrence County. The program operator coordinates reservations, and riders may travel to any food-selling establishment inside the county.
No public comments were recorded on the item at the time of the hearing.
The board approved the resolution and asked the Social Services representative to continue providing updates on participation and costs.
