Senior Dining changes to help everyone

     As of July 1, there are some positive changes coming to Jones County Senior Dining.

     As the new fiscal year fast approaches, Senior Dining Director Lisa Tallman wants senior citizens and donors to know about the way in which contributions will now be handled.

     “We will be changing the way we receive volunteer contributions from clients,” said Tallman, a change coming down from Heritage Agency on Aging, which helps fund senior dining programs in Eastern Iowa.

     In the past, Heritage collected all of the donations and contributions and divided the funds up accordingly. Now, all senior dining centers and sites will be keeping 100 percent of the contributions and donations locally.

     “We get to keep the money instead of helping another program,” said Tallman. “It’ll stay in Jones County to keep our program going.”

     Heritage used to reimburse Jones County Senior Dining with $4.53 a meal. As of July 1, that reimbursement goes down to $3. However, Tallman said the county suggested contribution would increase to $4 per meal “in the hopes that we will be able to continue to provide our services to you for many years to come.”

     The $4, which is a $1 increase, is just a suggested ask.

     “It’s based upon their ability to pay,” said Tallman “It gets harder and harder to make ends meet. The cost of food, gas, utilities, everything has increased, but our funding has not.”

     The cost for Senior Dining to provide a congregate meal (at a physical dining site) is $5.77. For home-delivered meals, it increases to $7.22 per meal. Tallman said the average voluntary meal contribution from Senior Dining clients is $1.95.

     “Some clients pay more while others pay less,” she said. “Since the amount you pay is up to you, based on your (financial) ability, it is an honor system.”

     Despite the decrease in reimbursement from Heritage, and increasing the suggested contribution, Tallman is optimistic that Senior Dining will remain ahead of the game.

     “Any excess helps us out at the end of the year,” said Tallman.

     Based on yearly donations that come in and the Dining Dollars program in Anamosa, Tallman said past history shows that the dining program should do well.

     In addition, Heritage will fund about 1,000 more meals than in the past.

     Aside from the Heritage funds and suggested contributions, Tallman said the dining program also receives $10,000 from the county and $10,000 in all from the cities/towns of Monticello, Anamosa, Oxford Junction, Olin, and Wyoming.

     “We always gets donations and memorials, too,” Tallman added.

     Jones County has three Senior Dining sites: Monticello, Anamosa, and Wyoming. The Wyoming site operates twice a month; while Monticello and Anamosa are five days a week.

     Tallman said 75 percent of the program’s meals are home-delivered.

     “That program is bigger than our congregant meals,” she said.

     In Monticello and Anamosa, meals are delivered Monday through Friday. For the towns of Olin, Oxford Junction, and Wyoming, meals are delivered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

     “I feel that this is a wonderful thing about the (Senior Dining) program,” said Tallman, “for folks who are struggling to pay their bills, they do not have to go hungry because they cannot afford food. For those who have the ability to pay, it is also a blessing to know that we can help then stay independent.”