Delmarva Community Services tells Dorchester County council it is maintaining senior meals amid delayed federal funds

Michelle Nichols, interim chief operating officer and interim CEO of Delmarva Community Services, briefed the Dorchester County Council on Jan. 20 about the agency’s continuing services and funding challenges.

Nichols said Delmarva remains committed to serving county residents and noted that the senior center currently serves "over 48 individuals" who attend congregate meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays; the organization also provides home-delivered meals. She told the council Delmarva has been operating without expected federal FY25 transportation/community-action funds because those dollars had been held up, but that she had received an email indicating a continuing resolution and an expectation of receiving at least 25% of the funds; the organization is supplementing needs with a United Way small grant and support from the Maryland Food Bank.

Nichols described steps Delmarva is taking ahead of expected inclement weather, including an emergency meeting of directors, additional nonperishable items in meal deliveries and distributing extra bottled water obtained through a small grant. She urged council members to contact Delmarva directors directly for constituent concerns and provided contact cards for follow-up.

Council members asked which programs were most affected by budget shortfalls. Nichols said the FY25 transportation funding shortfall is the most acute and that the Meals on Wheels program had been affected by the broader Office of Aging funding changes; she emphasized the organization was actively pursuing alternate grants and partner contributions.

Council members thanked Nichols for the briefing and encouraged continued communication between county staff and Delmarva as budgeting decisions proceed.

Nichols also noted organizational transitions at Delmarva and introduced directors’ contact information to assure continuity of services during leadership changes.