Just like so many hard-working American families, nonprofit organizations are having a hard time existing as costs increase and funding decreases. Lindsey Boehle is the executive director of the …
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Just like so many hard-working American families, nonprofit organizations are having a hard time existing as costs increase and funding decreases.
Lindsey Boehle is the executive director of the Warren County Senior Center, located at 501 Ashland Ave. in Warrenton. The center serves free or nearly free hot meals to people 60 and older.
Meals are served in the Warren County Senior Center and delivered to homebound clients.
Some people say the meals they receive from the Warren County Senior Center are the only hot meals they have to eat.
“If we’re not here, where do those people go for a hot meal?” asked Boehle, who started working at the center in 2013. In those four years, annual shortages have gone from $26,469 to $56,056.
“We’ve always been in the negative,” she said.
The reason, Boehle said, is that need and costs go up while funding goes down. With some ingenuity, the center has managed to stay in service. The goal is to be financially stable.
The center serves about 22,000 meals a year. Boehle said that’s about 3,000 more meals than in 2013.
During the same period, funding from contributions, donations and government assistance went down by about $10,000.
In January, Boehle plans to ask the Warren County commissioners to offer funding support similar to Warrenton and Wright City. They will ask for $1.50 for each home-delivered meal in Warren County.
Boehle said the senior center strives to raise awareness and funds. The center hosts gift basket raffles and other events.
In January, the Warren County Senior Center will host its fourth mystery dinner theater. Tickets go on sale Dec. 11 for the Jan. 27 event.
The center welcomes donations, like the one from the Warrenton Lions Club. It was the second year the organization donated money for meal tickets during the holiday season.
Boehle said if people can’t give in dollars, they can give their time. Volunteers are always needed at the center or to deliver meals.
For more information call the Warren County Senior Center at 636-456-3379.
The Lions Club in Warrenton donated $300, enough to provide 22 meal tickets to hungry older adults at the Warren County Senior Center. Pictured, from left, are Lindsey Boehle, executive director of the Warren County Senior Center, and Lions Club members Richard Boeger and Richard Laymon. Record photo/ Kate Miller.
