Letter To The Editor: Mahaska County Agency On Aging
Osky News
Editors Note: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are not necessarily the views or opinions of Osky News.
We, the board members of Mahaska County Agency on Aging, the local Senior Center, are most concerned about our present financial state. With a large mortgage payment every month, plus maintenance, utilities, and unforeseen repairs, we are in dire need of help from the community. The remodeling of a portion of Grant School ended up involving a mortgage of over a quarter of a million dollars.
In addition to delivering over 100 meals a day Monday through Friday each week, we also have anywhere between 25-30 seniors who eat here regularly. We provide programs and encourage interaction between our participants. We feel that we are an important asset not only to the seniors (which Oskaloosa has many) but also to the community as a whole. In 2012 we served at the site and home delivered a total of 37,400 meals.
Each month we receive from Seneca (now known as Milestones) $968.00 of which $285.94 goes to New Sharon Senior Center leaving Oskaloosa with $682.06. We also receive from Milestones $250.00 per month for Case Management rent for their office space in our facility. We rent our facility for $75.00. We receive a contribution from the County each year but no money from United Way this year. No money is received from the City. Donations made toward meals are deposited to Milestones.
Money received is used for utilities, janitorial service, maintenance of buildings and grounds, equipment replacement and repair and insurance. Our expenses usually run anywhere from $1500 to $3000 a month and in December it is around $5000 because of insurance premiums being due.
We have a mortgage with Iowa Finance Authority in Des Moines that helped renovate our present facility for our use. This is paid back monthly with a payment of $1896.88.
Our goal is to provide a site for senior citizens to enjoy a nutritious meal, along with exercises, entertainment, education and fellowship with others. And, by all means, to see that those unable to come to the center get their meals delivered to their home.
We hope you will give some serious thought to making a contribution at this critical time. We are a 501(c)3 serving our community since 1973 and wish to continue doing so for many more years with your kind assistance.
