Lohrey Center reports membership growth, asks City of Columbia to help close $75,000 annual gap

The City of Columbia on a recent council docket heard a two‑year update from Senior Resources and the Lohrey Center, which officials said has completed renovations, expanded programming and now faces an approximately $75,000 annual funding shortfall once current city dollars expire June 30.

Andrew Buser, executive director of Senior Resources, told the council the two organizations unified in August 2023 to create a single senior‑serving nonprofit for Columbia and surrounding areas. "The city committed $450,000 over the last three years for the Lohrey Center and I'm happy to report that we've leveraged that for an additional over $700,000 from other sources," Buser said. He added the organization invested roughly $600,000 in facility improvements and renovated about 17,000 square feet of the center.

Buser described operational changes intended to create sustainability: consolidating administrative functions produced about a 30% reduction in overhead and the group reported a balanced budget in the most recent fiscal year. Program growth, he said, includes roughly three times as many class offerings as in 2023 and more than 2,200 individual class sessions offered in the last year; the center also has expanded outreach through podcasts and social media.

Residents who use the center told the council the renovations and programming had direct effects. "This is my happiest place," said Madia Abedin, 71, describing exercise classes and social activities that she said improved her mental and physical health. Joseph Adams described dramatic weight loss and better management of chronic conditions after attending regularly: "If it wasn't for the Lohrey Center, I'd be in bad shape," he said. Former board member Sandra Berger highlighted partnerships that led to higher program attendance and new activities such as a documentary club.

Buser said 287 City of Columbia residents had taken up a free base membership offered since 2023 and that about 2,600 non‑members also used the facility. He described a gap of roughly $75,000 in the upcoming fiscal year that would be needed to maintain a balanced budget after the city’s current commitment ends June 30, noting the elevated one‑time support the center received earlier was related to federal ARPA funding.

Council members asked clarifying questions about the difference between the three‑year $450,000 commitment and the annual gap; Buser confirmed the $450,000 was distributed across three years and that the $75,000 figure represents the annual shortfall going forward. He also said Richland County has reduced the maximum competitive award available to nonprofits compared with last year, which puts more pressure on local fundraising.

Buser and residents asked the council to consider partnership opportunities and available city funding in the upcoming budget cycle. No formal council appropriation or vote on new funding occurred at the meeting; councilmembers thanked presenters and said the information will inform the budget process.

Next steps: Senior Resources will continue to pursue partnerships and grants, and the council signaled staff would follow up during the city’s budget deliberations.