"Meal program for seniors gets a financial lifeline," The Gazette

November 28, 2011, 5:07 PM
Debbie Kelley, The Gazette

Facing its largest budget deficit since it began feeding seniors 37 years ago, the Golden Circle Nutrition Program is getting a much-needed gift. 

Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, an organization of 16 towns, cities and counties in the region, is giving the program $96,000, which will cover almost all the program’s shortfall.

“This is the largest discrepancy we’ve ever had, and it’s significant,” said Gene Montoya, executive director of the Housing Authority of the City of Colorado Springs, which runs the program.

Without the financial boost, the staff “would have had to make some serious decisions,” said program director Phyllis Sisolak, such as reducing the number of sites where low-cost, hot lunches are served on weekdays.

There are 24 serving sites — at senior apartment complexes, faith-based buildings and community centers — in El Paso and Teller counties, from Monument to Manitou Springs to Cripple Creek and Victor.

Diners, who are age 60 and older, say they’re grateful for the service. At Acacia Park Apartments in downtown Colorado Springs, many were chowing down Monday on beef stew, lima beans, bread, fruit and cookies.

“It’s cheap, and it’s pretty good,” said Benito Avila, a resident of the historic apartment complex, which is a serving site. “A lot of people don’t have transportation and live on a fixed income. A lot don’t have family left. So this isn’t too bad.”

Diner Priscilla Paetsch agreed that the food is good and said the program is “very helpful to people who live on very little.”

The program was looking at a $112,000 deficit for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, which started July 1. Revenue for its $1.4 million annual budget comes from grants from the federal Older Americans Act and contributions from diners, Montoya said.

Diners — who gobble up more than 200,000 meals a year — are asked to donate $2.50 per meal, Montoya said, but the average donation is $1.85. That cost discrepancy, combined with increased need and decreased annual federal funding, led to the budget crisis.

“We’ve had deficits before, but never to this extent. Demand has been so high that we’ve had a hard time,” Montoya said.

PPACG received $200,000 in unanticipated federal funds from the Older Americans Act.

PPACG’s Area Agency on Aging identified meals as the highest priority for the funds, according to director Guy Dutra-Silveira, because good nutrition helps the elderly remain healthy and independent.

In addition to the Golden Circle Nutrition Program allotment, another $14,000 will go to Park County’s Home Delivered Meal Program, which also had announced program shortages.

The remainder is being divided among other senior services in the area, including transportation, caregiver programs, home safety renovations, dental services, case management and in-home support.

Anyone age 60 and older is eligible for meals from the Golden Circle Nutrition Program. Reservations are not required for meals served at the Acacia Park Apartments and the Colorado Springs Senior Center. Reservations are required at other sites. Call 387-6758 to make a reservation. For information on the program call 387-6756.
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