While the demand for the services from the Powell Senior Center continues to grow, federal and state funding was reduced by $70,643 for the current year. All senior centers in the state were affected by these deep reductions. To accommodate these reductions, the center has reduced its budget by $15,000 and increased its suggested contribution for meals to $4 per meal.

The center has also applied for additional funding from other sources and recently received a $7,500 grant from the Wyoming Community Foundation to assist with funding.

“The inflated costs impact all our daily needs, like food, health care, fuel, utilities, housing (property tax/rent), and auto and home maintenance,” Director Linda Dalton said in a release. “These increases have especially affected our seniors, who are on limited income from Social Security and what they have been able to save for retirement. We see the daily struggle with many of our clients who cannot afford what they need, but do not qualify for Medicaid. This grant award from the Wyoming Community Foundation will help us to continue to provide our services to community members and accommodate the increase in needs that we are seeing in Powell.”

The Powell Senior Center is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the physical, social and mental wellness of seniors in the Powell community and surrounding areas. The center provides hot nutritious meals, transportation, medical equipment on loan and education on topics like health, nutrition and safety. Staff also offer exercise classes, games and crafts as well as a safe place for seniors to socialize. During Medicare Open Enrollment, (Oct. 15-Dec. 7) the Powell Senior Center provided cost saving information and explained important changes for over 200 clients who needed to review their Medicare prescription drug coverage.

“The funds that we received from the Wyoming Community Foundation will strengthen the work we do here,” Dalton said.

To learn more about the Powell Senior Center or to donate, visit powellseniorcenter  or call the Senior Center at 307-754-4223, or contact Linda Dalton at director@powellseniorcenter.com.

The Wyoming Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that collaborates with donors to support the charitable causes they care most about. In 2023, the Wyoming Community Foundation granted over $8 million to charitable causes across the state.

For information call 307-721-8300 or visit the website at wycf.org.