Sep 4, 2008 5:41 pm US/Pacific
Senior Centers: Newest Victim Affected By Economy
YUBA CITY (CBS13) ―
The latest victim of California's budget crisis is now local senior centers. Senior center sites in Yuba City, Marysville, Brownsville and Wheatland will now discontinue food service as of September 5th, unless a new provider steps in.
Jack and Luce Sprowls not only depend on but look forward to the hot meals at their local senior center.
"It helps on our grocery bill, our bill goes way down when we come here," explains Luce.
But come Friday, four senior dining halls in Sutter and Yuba Counties will shut down indefinitely.
"It's sad that politics have got to get involved in this, its affecting us not them," says Jack.
The problem stems from the troubled economy, lack of state funding coupled with an overdue budget.
"Until it is passed we don't receive any funding basically so we chose not to renew our contract for this year," explained Jody Lisenby, from Quest Senior Nutrition.
A new contractor is set to take over almost all home delivery meals, but that leaves no cash for thousands of plates served at senior community centers.
"There are a lot of people that it's too hard for them to cook at home, but are able to drive a bit here," says Dolores Schoen, a meal recipient.
Jack and Luce Sprowls don't mind the short drive, after all it's not just about the food.
"These are our friends here, everybody here is our friends," says Luce.
"I'm hoping they get something worked out, there's always a way," Jack said.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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