Oswego Senior Center Meals Program is Being Reduced Due to Shortfalls

The following release was provided by the Oswego Senior Center:

Call it sequestration or call it “tough economic times”,  but no matter what you call it, not-for-profit social service agencies are really experiencing funding shortfalls. The Oswego Senior Center was just notified that 2014 (FY) funding for their meals program is to be reduced by 15% according to Bob Wyngard of Oswegoland Seniors, Inc., operators of the Oswego Senior Center.  

While the numbers in dollars are small ($7,700), the reduction equals almost 2000 meals for 2014.  Meals money from the County-wide congregate meals program grant can only be used to support meals.  Many people think the Oswego Senior Center serves only deserving seniors within Oswego Township.  

“Not true”, says Wyngard. “All of the US Title 3 funds (Federal money) we receive through the Illinois Department of Aging are to serve Kendall seniors County-wide.  This includes meals money and Community Connection Center money, as well.”  In 2012, 796 individual seniors enjoyed 10,706 meals under this program

In order to receive this Federal funding, the Oswegoland Seniors, Inc. not-for-profit corporation must raise non-federal money to buy-in to the federal grant pool.  Additionally, senior guests at the congregate meals lunches each week are offered the opportunity to make a voluntary contribution of  $4.00 per meal. Money raised by this means is reused to further fund the meals program and is the primary reason the Oswego program is sustainable, successful, and popular.

The Community Connection Center grant at the Oswego Senior Center provides Gentle Yoga and Tai Chi exercise classes; computer classes; several results based, health services and health education classes; care-giver counseling;  food preparation classes;  and, an array of health education and screening opportunities. 

Grant and local agency funding for the Oswego Senior Center comes from Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging (NEILAAA) – 30% (all Federal money); Kendall County Senior Tax Levy – 15%; Village of Oswego – 14%; and Oswego Township – 3%.  The remainder of the funding to operate the Oswego Senior Center comes from individual donations, memorials and bequests, event sponsorships from businesses, corporate donations, off-site food sales during community events, raffles, fundraisers and crafts sales. 

“2014 will be the first year we will have a serious financial challenge to our existence and growth,” says Wyngard.  We have enjoyed being self-sufficient, well managed, conservative and fulfilling our mission while operating under the radar for these first 5 years of operation.  I guess we’re just going to have to ask our guests, local businesses, and all citizens of Kendall County to remember your senior friends and relatives and increase your charitable giving to help us close some gaps not of our making or choosing."

In the fall of this year we will be adding a transportation component to services we offer.  Another Federal Program administered by the State has awarded us a mid-sized bus for senior and disabled clients. 

We will be able to meet our internal transportation requirements for group events in the County and out in ways that cannot be satisfied by Kendall Area Transit (KAT)  Also, we are going to be reaching out to younger seniors (60 to 75) who are still working.  We will be offering evening and Saturday classes and programs. We are estimating that impending shortfalls, the transportation component, and programs for younger seniors will require approximately $75,000 we just don’t have at this time.

“It is wonderful to be wanted and needed” Wyngard reported.  Hopefully we can soon report that we are also fully funded.