By Victoria Shirley
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Rayville's council on aging provides thousands of meals for seniors each year. The council on aging here in Rayville act as a haven for many of the elderly in this community, but now state budget cuts mean tough decisions for the center.
"I come here to fellowship and socialize and be with my friends." said Marie Taylor, she looks forward to lunch each day with her friends. Laughing and chatting, the center is a refuge from her quiet home. "We really need this place because there are a lot of people like me that don't have anywhere else to go." said Taylor.
But the services the non-profit agency offers, could soon be cut dramatically. For a second year, $25,000.00 in state money was cut from the Rayville location. Resulting in reduced hours and salaries for workers. "In order not to cut back on meals, we chose to cut back on man hours." said Beth Whatley.
Each year, the center serves over 13,000 sit down meals and delivered 20,000 meals to home bound seniors. "It takes $20 a month to feed a senior and $250 a year." said Beth Whatley.
Beth Whatley is Richland's director for the council on aging and after the first round of cuts, she refused to scale back on the meals they serve mobilizing people, businesses, and churches to donate over 22 thousand dollars in 2011. This year she's hoping to do it again, "I'm going to be out there knocking on doors and tell people, they may just have to avoid me, but I'm certainly going to try again this year like I did last year."
The fiscal year just started on July 1, but the center is hopeful it will raise enough money by the end of the year. So far this fiscal year, the group has only received one donation so far of $250.00.
If you want to donate visit the COA headquarters at 414 Harrison St., in Rayville or call
318-728-2646 or 318-878-9520.
