Budget Cuts Could Hit Non-Profit Hard, Volunteers Stay Positive
By: Kristin Anderson
Updated: February 25, 2013
Shirley Stephenson has been delivering meals for over 30 years.
"I enjoy meeting the people and talking to them," she said.
But the Meals on Wheels program faces possible cuts. One possibility would cut five percent of their budget, which equals a full year of meals for 30 people. However, if the Sequester cuts the Social Services Block Grant, there could be a bigger impact.
"That would reduce our program by almost half," said executive director Betty Bradley. "We would lose four hundred and fifteen clients."
"The people that need the food would not get fed," said Shirley.
And Shirley said that it's about more than the meals, it's the friendship that clients develop with the volunteers.
"A lot of times, the only people the people see are meals on wheels. If they don't have relatives or neighbors or friends or something to check on them. They just depend on us," she explained.
Since nothing has been decided yet, the program is trying it's best to keep moving forward... Saying that the community support is what gets them by.
"Whenever there is a cut in our funding, we rely more heavily on the community and other concerned people to help us provide meals to everybody that needs them," Betty said.
"We've been able to go forward with it for the most part because people are generous and see the need and will step forward and help," explained Shirley.
Saying that they'll do what they can to keep the program rolling.
"I enjoy meeting the people and talking to them," she said.
But the Meals on Wheels program faces possible cuts. One possibility would cut five percent of their budget, which equals a full year of meals for 30 people. However, if the Sequester cuts the Social Services Block Grant, there could be a bigger impact.
"That would reduce our program by almost half," said executive director Betty Bradley. "We would lose four hundred and fifteen clients."
"The people that need the food would not get fed," said Shirley.
And Shirley said that it's about more than the meals, it's the friendship that clients develop with the volunteers.
"A lot of times, the only people the people see are meals on wheels. If they don't have relatives or neighbors or friends or something to check on them. They just depend on us," she explained.
Since nothing has been decided yet, the program is trying it's best to keep moving forward... Saying that the community support is what gets them by.
"Whenever there is a cut in our funding, we rely more heavily on the community and other concerned people to help us provide meals to everybody that needs them," Betty said.
"We've been able to go forward with it for the most part because people are generous and see the need and will step forward and help," explained Shirley.
Saying that they'll do what they can to keep the program rolling.
