The Executive Director of the social service agency BCMW says the Project Bread Meal Sites will remain three days a week in both Salem and Centralia as a result of uncertainty in federal funding.
Jessica Backs says there has already been at least delays in federal funding getting to the agency. However, she is comfortable with the three day a week operation going forward. Backs doesn’t want to move to a five day a week schedule that would force them to scale back if funding challenges remain. She feels what they learned about fund raising for the program during the shutdown that began last November that continued until earlier this year will help them keep the reduced program in place.
Meanwhile, Backs says the skinny budget which was proposed last week does indicate some programs will be impacted if that budget is passed. Collectively, she says community agencies are coming together to advocate for their programs in its entirety. Backs doesn’t expect to know more until near the end of the fiscal year on September 30th. The organizations are working with elected officials to show the need for the programs in the communities they serve.
A meeting has been set by BCMW and the Midland Area Agency on Aging for May 28th between 10 and 11:30 am at the Grace United Methodist Church at 116 Schwartz in Downtown Salem to try and get local involvement for a statewide day of action to discuss how Older Americans Act funding impacts meals and programs. Everyone is invited to the meeting.
