Bob Foos
LATE DEVELOPMENT – Governor Mike Kehoe’s office announced Wednesday afternoon that he has directed a full $10.6 million fund transfer from the Senior Services Growth and Development Fund to Missouri Area Agencies on Aging.
It was also announced that WIC benefits will be available for redemption in Missouri into November. NOTE: The Webb City Farmers Market will continue to redeem WIC cards because its program is solely supported with donations.
Kehoe has also ordered a $5 million distribution to Missouri food banks using Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding. This action takes the place of a regular appropriation typically issued later in the year but is being issued now given an increase in need due the loss of SNAP benefits.
An effect of the nationwide shutdown was felt locally this week when it was announced lunches had to be suspended at the Webb City Senior Citizens Center for lack of funding.
In fact, center manager April Cloyd, opened the center Monday, but the kitchen staff stayed home and lunch was not served. Meals on wheels continued uninterrupted.
The center itself, at Daugherty and Pennsylvania streets, is owned and maintained by the city. And when the City Council agenda was distributed Thursday, it included a discussion of the situation and motion to use city money to keep the meals going for two weeks.
Jennifer Shotwell, CEO of the Area Agency on Aging Region X, came to Webb City in the morning Monday to explain the situation to the Senior Citizens Board of Directors, and she returned in the evening to make a presentation to the city council.
She explained the nonprofit Area Agency on Aging Region X was already short on reimbursements from the federal agency, Older Americans Act, through the state. She said reimbursement amounts were short in August and September, and October reimbursements aren’t coming.
“We’re really close to running out of cash,” she told the senior citizens board. Meanwhile, her team of cooks and servers want to get paid, and the grocer wants to get paid.
Shotwell estimates it costs $3,701 to serve meals at the Webb City center each week.
Mayor Lynn Ragsdale said, “It’s not our responsibility to debate federal issues. But it is our responsibility to make sure the city runs well.”
The council voted unanimously for the motion to fund the center as needed up to $3,701 each week.
As promised, the center lunch staff was back to work Tuesday morning and served meals. Monday was the only day that meals weren’t served.
Center board treasurer Lloyd Woollen reported that the board met Tuesday morning and voted to use its reserve to fund this first week.
City Administrator Carl Francis said in an email Tuesday, “I’m just sorry the senior center went without lunch yesterday. Had I known that was happening I could have done something to stop that for sure.” When told that funding was running out the 27th, he assumed that would be after lunch was served.
Shotwell noted that private funding is being donated to keep the Carl Junction senior meals program operating. Ways have also been found for centers to stay open in Lamar and Nevada, as well. And a funding alternative was in the process of being found for Joplin.
If any good comes from this situation, Woollen said he hopes the publicity will raise awareness of how important the center is to seniors.
It may be more important after Nov. 1 when those receiving SNAP benefits stop receiving their food-stamp payments.