Senior centers across Northwest Arkansas — including the Carroll County Senior Activity and Wellness Center in Berryville — are at risk of closure, according to Our Healthy Communities Inc., the Rogers-based nonprofit that oversees the centers.
In a Facebook post last week, OHC said years of increased food costs, along with delays caused by the recent government shutdown, have left the centers in a vulnerable position.
“Vital funds that normally support daily operations have not arrived,” the Facebook post said.
Melanie Jobe, director of the Carroll County senior center, said Monday, Dec. 1, that if the center cannot secure additional funding, “they’re looking at six months to a year, but it could be sooner.”
Susan Moore, OHC’s chief executive officer, said the organization is trying to be proactive in dealing with the financial crunch.
“There’s been funding cuts, unfortunately, year after year and it’s just kind of catching up with us,” Moore said. “And then the shutdown and funding not coming through during that time put us behind as well. And even though the government is opened back up, the funding really isn’t flowing yet either. So that’s kind of where we are on that. We’ve gone back and looked through the years and the funding is just not enough to really support the operations of the senior centers.”
Moore said OHC is hoping the community will help support the senior center. She said she spoke with Berryville Mayor Tim McKinney on Monday, Dec. 1, about possible funding sources. The city had already announced that it will host an open house fundraiser at the senior center from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16. The event will include a silent auction, games, music, family activities and more. All ages are welcome and admission is free.
In addition to providing meals for seniors the center, the Carroll County center also delivers food through its Meals on Wheels program and also provides meals for the Learning Center of North Arkansas campuses in the county.
We’re looking to the community for some support,” Moore said. “We suggest that if they’re interested in donating they donate to their local center in their area and that helps that center.
“We’re just letting the community know in hopes of some community support,” Moore said, “whether that be from corporate, whether it be individuals. Ten dollars, $25, anything helps to help keep these centers open because we are the last ones that want to see a senior center go away in a local community. We understand the value of that center to the local community.”
The Carroll County Senior Activity and Wellness Center is located at 202 W. Madison Ave. in Berryville. The center’s telephone number is 870-423-3265.
