Elderly Nutrition program to request $115,000 in federal funds

An application for Aging Resources federal funding for the Elderly Nutrition program in Jasper County was approved Tuesday.

The Jasper County Board of Supervisors approved the request for $115,000 to fund the popular program.

“This year for congregate, I am requesting $45,000 and for home delivered meals I am requesting $70,000. That is $3,000 more than I have requested in the past. I don’t believe there is more funding available, but I thought I would up that amount because our home deliveries have been increasing,” project manager Kelli Van Manen said.

The program applies for funding every two years and in the past has received the funds requested. Van Manen said she thinks the program will receive the same funds as the last cycle, $3,000 less than she requested.

Jasper County has a strong history of supporting the Elderly Nutrition program. In the past five and a half years, the program has never turned down an eligible client due to budget restraints.

Along with federal and local funding, the group also does fundraisers and accepts donations.

Meals are served in Newton, Colfax and Monroe at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Home delivered meals are available for eligible residents in all Jasper County communities.

Services are also offered on the weekends, holidays and shelf stable meals for emergencies.

The services are available for Jasper County residents 60 years or older, along with their spouse. The spouse is not required to be 60 years old.

There is no charge for the meals. Food stamps are also accepted as payment.

Elderly Nutrition delivers to eligible clients at their location within the county. They also work with the Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency to transport congregate meals to sites if that option works for the client. Currently, 35 percent of the program’s clients are rural.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson
at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534
or jpierson@newtondailynews.com