MASON COUNTY — The Mason County Senior Meals on Wheels program is trying to raise extra funds to make sure every senior gets the meals they need after having to waitlist some seniors this year.
The nutritional coordinator at Mason County Meals on Wheels, Lois Cole said they get their main funding from the federal government and 17 seniors had to be waitlisted for the first time ever because of a reduction in federal funding.
Cole said they are coming up with ways to fill the gap but they worry future need may outpace their resources even with the additional funding.
“We have seniors who are concerned about the rising costs in food. I had to do a waiting list because I can’t expand my unit where I could have before,” said Cole.
Cole said they are mainly funded through the ‘Nutrition Services Incentive Program’, known as NSIP.
She said those dollars took a hit recently.
“We are contracted for 40,000 units to go out a year and they will give us $5.50 per unit. We are at 76,000 units at the moment. So last year, anything above 40,000, we would get about $3 a meal for through NSIP. It went down to $0.30,” said Cole.
Cole said that created a funding gap in thousands of dollars.
“In June of 2024, we were approved for $51,720 through the End SIP program. In 2025, it went down to $43,459. So that was almost a $9,000 difference,” said Cole.
She said the timing of it is concerning with expenses increasing, not only for the people they serve but for the Meals on Wheels Program, itself. Their biggest expenses are payroll, transportation costs and vehicle maintenance, gas and food.
They cover 500 miles in the county, serving hundreds of people on weekdays.
“I have increased in clientele from last year. We were right about 175 people. And right now we’re at 250. And I have a waiting list for the first time with 17 people on it that’s been extended for about two months.
Cole said they were able to supplement with funding through the county’s senior millage services and they are looking at ways to streamline the budget.
“We are working on volunteer lists. We’re going to start that in January. It takes a little bit to get up. So the less I can pay in wages and food costs and stuff like that, the more our budget will look good,” said Cole.
Cole said Meals on Wheels is looking at other ways to raise additional funding.
“The Friends of Mason County Senior Meal started just a couple of months ago. We got legal 501-3 status. We’ve had good interest throughout the senior centers and we’re going to make it public. I believe, in November,” said Cole.
Cole said she is worried that demand will only grow.
“In November, the food stamp budget will be cut. So I’m anticipating more people calling to be put on the program. I don’t want to have to turn those people away. I don’t want to have to tell them no,” said Cole.
