HomeMy WebLinkAbout061025 RE_ Request for Information on Senior Center and Meals on Wheels Program Funding and OperationsALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Hi Sarah,
Lewis County ceased management of its Senior Services Programs on Dec. 31, 2017, and transferred financial and operational management to a nonprofit entity, the Lewis County Seniors
(now Timber Rivers), effective Jan. 1, 2018.
The county leases its five senior center buildings to that group for $1 annually. To ensure it is not at risk of gifting public funds, the county provides no funding for the group’s
“enrichment” activities (activities such as exercise classes, painting programs, cooking events, etc.). The county DOES provide funding solely in support of the Senior Nutrition Program,
as that is categorized as support of the poor / infirm.
Lewis County has routinely provided $50,000 at the beginning of each year and then agrees to provide an additional $50,000 in June (so $100,000 total annually) upon written request /
documentation of need from the nonprofit. We also cover the major maintenance (such as roofing, etc.) at the senior center buildings. There has been talk of transferring ownership of
those buildings to the nonprofit, but it has not happened as of yet.
I can send you our agreement(s) if you’d like?
Thanks,
Rieva Lester, CMC
Clerk of the Board
Lewis County Board of County Commissioners
351 N.W. North St.
Chehalis, WA 98532
360-740-1419 I Rieva.Lester@lewiscountywa.gov <mailto:Rieva.Lester@lewiscountywa.gov>
From: Sarah E. Hinman <sarahh@co.skagit.wa.us>
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 10:42 AM
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Subject: Request for Information on Senior Center and Meals on Wheels Program Funding and Operations
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Dear Colleagues,
I hope this message finds you well. I’m reaching out on behalf of Skagit County as we are conducting a review of our senior programs and hoping to learn how senior services are structured
and funded across Washington State. We are particularly interested in learning more about how other counties operate and support Senior Centers and Meals on Wheels programs.
To help inform our planning and decision-making, we would greatly appreciate it if you could share the following information:
1. Does your county directly operate Senior Centers and/or Meals on Wheels programs, or do you contract with other entities (e.g., cities or nonprofits)?
2. Are any Senior Centers or Meals on Wheels Facilities operated in county owned facilities? If not, are the facilities owned by cities or non-profits?
3. What are your current funding sources for these services (e.g., county general fund, federal/state grants, fundraising, etc.)?
4. What is your county’s approximate annual budget for:
* Senior Centers
* Meals on Wheels
5. If applicable, could you share any insights or lessons learned from your operational model?
We understand that staffing time is limited and appreciate any information you’re able to share—whether a quick summary, budget sheet, or a program contact we can follow up with.
Thank you in advance for your time and assistance. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, and we would be happy to share back a summary of what we learn from across
the state if that would be helpful to you and your team.
Warm regards,
Sarah
Sarah Hinman
Assistant Director
Skagit County Public Health
301 Valley Mall Way #110
Mt. Vernon, WA 98273
360.416.1507
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