Washoe County Senior Servicesis getting more money to meet the increased demand for their programs. Reno Public Radio’s Anh Gray reports nutrition is the biggest need.
The Washoe County Board of Commissioners is allocating an additional $200,000 to deliver more meals for the elderly.
Kevin Schiller is Assistant County Manager. He says the county will be providing about 400,000 meals next year.
“That’s our max capacity with our existing equipment and our existing staff,” Schiller says.
The county serves about 4,000 seniors, three-quarters of whom drive to centers for a warm meal. Those homebound because of an illness or disability receive home deliveries.
“It also allows us, when we deliver those meals, and when they come to the senior centers,” Schiller says, “to be able to communicate with them so that we can identify other service needs they have."
There has been an increased demand for senior services in the county for the last 15 years, with an eight percent growth last year.