(Council on Aging of Central Oregon check presentation with St. Charles Foundation’s Carlos Salcedo | Photo courtesy of Council on Aging of Central Oregon)
The Council on Aging of Central Oregon announced that it has received multiple grants from the St. Charles Foundation to support key programs assisting older adults throughout Central Oregon. Ranging from support for buying food to funds to help create a safer space for older adults, the grants will enable the Council on Aging to provide vital services for older adults during COVID and for years to come.
“During this pandemic, which is challenging for all but especially for older people, the Council on Aging has increased its programming to help keep older adults safe and at home,” said Susan Rotella, executive director for the Council on Aging of Central Oregon. “The generosity of the St. Charles Foundation will help us continue to provide more meals to more seniors throughout the upcoming winter.”
Funds generously provided by St. Charles will support the Council on Aging’s nutrition programs for older adults, including Meals on Wheels and the Grab-N-Go Drive-Thru meals it provides in four local cities. These programs have provided almost 13,000 meals each month to older adults throughout the region during the pandemic crisis. The St. Charles Foundation is also assisting the Council on Aging to provide holiday gifts for its clients via the St. Charles Sponsorship program. In lieu of a traditional holiday gathering for seniors this winter, these gifts will provide a small token of holiday spirit. And, the local health system has also granted funding to help with the building renovations at the Council on Aging’s new site at 1036 NE Fifth Street. This new center will allow the Council on Aging to directly serve older adults in a facility devoted to their wellbeing, once the danger from COVID passes.
“We are happy to support the work of the Council on Aging because we know the importance of the services provided by the Council on Aging to the older adults in our region,” said Carlos Salcedo of the St. Charles Foundation. “We are all working together to help keep older people safe and well.”
The Council on Aging provides Meals on Wheels, Grab-N-Go drive-through lunches, information and referral and caregiver support throughout Central Oregon. To find out more, contact the Council on Aging of Central Oregon at 541-678-5483 or councilonaging.org.
