The Project Bread senior meal sites and home delivery in Salem and Centralia will reopen on Monday, January 27th.
The Executive Director of the social service agency BCMW made the announcement at the monthly membership meeting of the Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce. Jessica Backs says all the checks from the state for payment of services from July to October of last year have now been received.
“The BCMW is meeting with Midland Area on Aging on Friday the 17th to discuss a soft opening plan,” Backs said. “As long as it is approved by all parties, we anticipate re-opening on the 27th. If there’s anything that needs to be changed in our plan that we present on the 17th, that gives us a week to revamp the plan and get it approved with Midland to still open on the 27th.”
Backs says the soft opening is likely to include an initial opening for just three days a week. She reports the Project Bread Meal Site in Salem will also be moving from the Orchard Shopping Center to the Grace United Methodist Church.
“Their board seems to be very eager and thrilled that we are going to be hosting the seniors’ meal site there. We’re hoping to build more senior citizen clientele to join, just for the simple fact that we want them to congregate if they’re lonely or just want somebody to talk to.”
Backs says those of any income who are over 60 are welcome to join the Project Bread program. There is a suggested donation of $4 per meal received.
Backs reports moving forward all meals will be cooked at Centralia with the Salem meals then delivered by staff to Salem for the meal site and home delivery.
Backs thanked State Representative Charlie Meier for helping to get the checks written by the state once the delayed vouchers are processed by the Illinois Department of Aging. While the Department of Aging has told WJBD-WSIQ news they are training new workers to have enough staff to timely process the vouchers, they have no guarantees moving forward whether there will be more delays in getting payment for the program.