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Jackson County Department on Aging names two seniors of the year; reports funding shifts and Project Fresh increase
Summary
The Department on Aging recommended two seniors of the year for recognition at the county fair, reported a net $42,000 decrease in contract awards compared with 2024, a $17,000 cut in Meals on Wheels state funding, and a federal reallocation of $81,100 from congregate to home-delivered meals.
The Jackson County Department on Aging told commissioners it will recognize Darryl Ebersole and Michael Hayes as the county’s seniors of the year and reported several program funding changes and upcoming senior programming.
The department recommended Ebersole and Hayes be recognized at the county fair’s Senior Day ceremony on Monday, Aug. 4, at 11:30 a.m., near the American 1 Event Center tent. The committee unanimously recommended those recognitions to the full board.
In its monthly report, the Department on Aging said the statement of contract awards for the current grant year (ending Sept. 30) shows about a $42,000 reduction from 2024 to 2025. The department attributed part of that difference to kinship dollars that the agency WellWise retained internally after more local demand for those services; Jackson County staff said they refer residents to WellWise when kinship needs arise.
The department identified the largest single change as a roughly $17,000 decrease in state funding for Meals on Wheels. It also reported a federal reallocation request to shift $81,100 from congregate (C1) to home-delivered (C2) meals, representing 39.96% of the allowable 40% reallocation between those funding streams; the county said that change was approved and will appear on a forthcoming statement of contract award in August or September.
The department also said Jackson County received more Project Fresh coupon books this year: up from about 140 to 215 coupon books, making $5,375 in $25 vouchers available to participating local farmers. The county said the increase from last year was $1,875 and that staff are assisting seniors who need help applying for the vouchers.
The report included routine program updates and upcoming senior-center events such as a summer dance and a garden-party program that will feature master-gardener volunteer Darryl Ebersole. The department also highlighted a caregiver’s note that a Meals on Wheels recipient had gained about 23 pounds and become more mobile after starting deliveries in March.
Committee members moved to receive the report; the motion carried on a voice vote.
