Unless additional funding can be secured, Friendship Meals and Meals on Wheels programs in ten counties operated by Hutchinson-based Everfull, formerly Aging Projects, Inc., could be terminated by the first of July. Locally, this could involve programs locally in Kingman, McPherson, Reno, and Rice counties. McPherson’s Meals on Wheels program is a separate entity and is not affected by this.
Following a report by a Wichita television station, Everfull executive director Charles Johnston told Ad Astra News in an email Thursday night that needs for services have outstripped donations, and the allocated budget for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, and without intervention from the South Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, or the communities served, all currently assigned funds and cash reserves will run out by June 30.
Johnston added that Everfull has not received any additional communication or guidance from either SCKAAA or KDADS regarding their ability to help solve this budget issue. In a letter sent to staff, participants, volunteers and supporters, it was noted Everfull was near total collapse in March 2023, and bringing the organization, which adopted its current name earlier this year, has been a long, strenuous and expensive prospect, requiring them to reinvent how they run and address long broken systems.
He noted a path to sustainability has appeared in the other three counties Everfull provides services to though the Central Plains Agency on Aging which serves Butler, Harvey and Sedgwick counties. A similar path with SCKAAA though has not appeared.
Everfull has put out a call for donations, stating they are needing communities in the ten counties to step up to cover at least half of their current losses, which would allow programs to continue uninterrupted. If you would like information on how to help, email [email protected].
