Sand Springs Steps In To Help Feed Its Homebound Senior Citizens

NewsOn6.com

SAND SPRINGS, OK -- The City of Sand Springs has announced it is taking steps to help assure homebound senior citizens in their community needing hot meals are not left out in the cold starting next week. 

According to a news release from the city, homebound senior citizens who receive hot meals  through an Oklahoma Department of Human Services program learned last week that the number of meals provided will be reduced to meet state budget cuts effective November 1st.

Instead of receiving five hot meals per week, affected seniors would receive two hot meals one week followed by three hot meals the following week on a rotating basis through June 30th, 2010. 

Sand Springs says approximately 50 residents in their community are affected.

The budget cuts also reduced funding for transportation service provided to seniors, including daily bus service to and from the Sand Springs Senior Citizens Center.

City officials learned of the cuts after meeting last week.   

"As soon as we learned of this serious situation in our community, we took immediate steps to assure that hot meals will continue to be served to homebound seniors through December 31st," said City Parks Director Grant Gerondale, who oversees Senior Citizens programs. "During this interim period, we will be meeting with local churches and community leaders for their advice, help and support."

Gerondale said it is hoped that funding can be restored at the state level after the legislature convenes in February.

Keeping the hot meals coming and the transportation program rolling through December will cost Sand Springs around $6,400.  An adjustment was made in the Parks Department budget to accommodate the need, according to City Manager Douglas Enevoldsen.

"Unfortunately, our City's budget is even more strained than the state's due to the unprecedented economic conditions we are facing, and we are in no position to continually absorb these program costs," Enevoldsen said.  "However, we are committed to providing essential services in our community, and this is certainly an essential service for our senior citizens who are unable to leave their homes."

On-site meals are not affected by the budget cuts.