SCBC using ARPA funds to add 20 new participants to Meals on Wheels program

The Stephens County Board of Commissioners have agreed to use funding through the American Rescue Plan Act to add participants to the Meals on Wheels Program.

The decision was made on Tuesday during the Stephens County Board of Commissioners regular scheduled meeting.

Initially, County Administrator Phyllis Ayers recommended the Commission approve funding to add 10 participants to the program.

“So, at our last meeting, she (Senior Center Director Mary Smith) did her departmental presentation, and she made the comment about how many people are on Meals on Wheels and how many are on the waiting list. I think Michelle (Commissioner Michelle Ivester) mentioned it, can we use the ARPA funds to add people and yes you can. So, Mary did an analysis, each cost per meal is $3.25 and the meals are five days a week, 52 weeks a year. To add 10 people that’s 2,600 meals, $8,450, and of course 20 would be twice that. We’re currently delivering 65 meals and there’s approximately 75 on the waiting list. So, this is really your pleasure for what you want to do. We do have ARPA funds left over that we haven’t committed,” she said.

Commissioner Dean Scarborough asked if they would need additional volunteers.

Ayers said the current volunteers would be able to handle adding 20 new participants.

As WNEG News previously reported, Stephens County Senior Center Director Mary Smith came before the commission with a presentation regarding the activity at the Senior Center.

Smith explained that while the county provides meals for many residents, there are still a lot of people on a waiting list.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Ayers recommended any student or group needing community service points to consider volunteering to deliver meals for the Meals on Wheels Program.

A motion approving the use of ARPA funds to add 20 participants to the program was made by Commissioner Michelle Ivester with Commissioner Dean Scarborough seconding the motion.

The motion was approved unanimously.