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Meals on Wheels group asks Bannock County for $50,000 to cover per‑meal shortfall
Summary
Joe Boruch of SEICA told commissioners Meals on Wheels served about 13,880 meals last year in Pocatello, Chubbuck and Inkom, that each meal costs $9.50 while Area Agency on Aging reimburses $4.25, leaving $5.25 uncovered per meal, and requested $50,000 in county support to cover that gap.
Joe Boruch, chief executive of SEICA, described the Meals on Wheels program that serves homebound seniors in Pocatello, Chubbuck and Inkom and asked Bannock County for $50,000 in this year’s budget cycle to cover an operating shortfall.
"We do four hot meals to homebound seniors," Boruch said, describing meal delivery and weekend frozen meals. He said the program delivered about 13,880 meals last year and that the full delivered cost per meal is $9.50. Area Agency on Aging reimburses $4.25 per meal, leaving roughly $5.25 per meal uncovered.
Boruch said that funding from the county, the cities of Pocatello and Chubbuck, United Way and local fundraising fill the uncovered portion; he explained a recent change to contract meal preparation that moved production to a senior center kitchen and improved meal quality.
He said billing issues that had occurred previously have been resolved and that the program tries to keep administrative costs low so funding goes to meals. Boruch requested $50,000 from the county to help cover meal costs and maintain service levels as demand and senior population growth continue.
