Calhoun County Senior Services reports higher program use, $300,000 grant to tackle senior food insecurity

Rod Otten of Calhoun County Senior Services told the Battle Creek City Commission on July 1 that the agency’s 2024 annual report shows increased participation in senior programs and that the organization received a $300,000 grant from the Tony Foundation to develop a collaborative model addressing food insecurity for older adults in Calhoun County.

Otten said the agency tracks 21 programs delivered through 10 providers and recently completed the 2024 annual report, which will be printed and made public. “Our primary goal with Calhoun County Senior Services is to serve not only older adults in the county, but also caregivers,” he told commissioners.

The presentation highlighted that attendance at the agency’s annual Senior Expo rose from “over 625” in the prior year to “over 725” this year. Otten said the Calhoun County senior millage now funds three senior centers: Forks Senior Center (Albion), Heritage Commons (Marshall) and, beginning in January, funding for the Cool Center, which serves Battle Creek and surrounding areas. He also said the agency provides about $65,000–$70,000 a year in mini-grants to support community programs.

Otten described the Tony Foundation grant as a countywide, collaborative effort led by Calhoun County Senior Services with partners Carewell Senior Services, Milestone Senior Services, Community Action and Southwest Food Bank. He said the $300,000 award will be used to develop a model to reduce food insecurity among older adults across the county.

The presentation also outlined plans to expand the senior ambassador program, a peer-support information‑and‑referral network launched during the pandemic, and to scale a technology‑training program called Tech Savvy Seniors that began in Albion. Otten asked commissioners and neighborhood planning councils to help recruit additional senior ambassadors.

At the end of the presentation, Vice Mayor Sofia asked for the age used to define “senior” under the senior millage; Otten replied that for senior millage purposes the threshold is 60 and older.

Otten closed by noting upcoming events, including the Senior Expo and a centenarian celebration that will honor 14 county residents age 99 or older.

Sources: Remarks by Rod Otten of Calhoun County Senior Services to the Battle Creek City Commission, July 1, 2025.