Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging have high hopes of supplemental funding approval

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Missouri seniors were at risk of losing resources through Aging Matters due to a funding lapse, but according to the Director of the Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging that may no longer be an issue.  

Julie Peetz is the Executive Director of the Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging. She says they’ve been worried about a funding lapse after the person designated to disperse the funding needing to run Aging Matters resources no longer has dispersal power after March.

This would mean that seniors could potentially lose much needed resources such as transportation, caregivers and the senior meal program for up to three months.

“We did find out that the senate appropriation’s hearing did pass the supplemental funding and so it’s one more step in the senate to get the appropriation authority and then it moves onto the governor’s desk so best case this could be done by the end of the week.” 

This has left many seniors wondering what to do next.

“I got a phone call last night from someone, it just broke my heart” says Peetz. “She was in a panic about what’s going to happen”. “What’s going to happen if I don’t have meals? It just broke my heart, and we shouldn’t have to be in a situation like that and so we are doing everything we can to advocate to protect funding for seniors.” 

Peetz says they have high hopes that the supplemental funding appropriation will pass by the end of the week, which will result in NO lapse to resources. Peetz says through help from legislatures and advocacy the appropriation issue was looked at very quickly.

“This is the fastest a supplemental mandate has ever happened in Missouri, so we know that they’re taking it seriously and we really appreciate that” says Peetz.

More than 28,000 seniors in Southeast Missouri rely on resources through Aging Matters. Pat and Ken Jenkins have been going to the Senior Center of Cape Girardeau for lunch for years. They say they can’t imagine their lives without the food the center provides.   

“Ya its great! You can’t go buy food and fix it for what you get.” “And I don’t have to do dishes, so it’s great!” 

Dorris Grippo is another senior who says the Senior Center not only provides food but gives her a healthy active lifestyle as well.  

“To meet new friends and talk to people and it makes ya, happy! A great place to be and the foods great too” says Grippo.

For more details on resources Aging Matters provides HOME | Agingmatters2u.