SPRINGFIELD – Track Town, USA, is home to premier events for elite athletic performances. Most of the races are long and competitive, including 5Ks, 10Ks, and marathons. But, what if they weren’t all like that?
Senior and Disability Services (S&DS), a division of Lane Council of Governments (LCOG), is hosting its fifth annual “A Race for the Rest of Us” on Sunday, Aug. 3, at the PublicHouse in Springfield. This race is only 0.5K, roughly one third of a mile, and raises money for the Senior Meals Program.
“We wanted to create an inclusive and accessible event that everyone can participate in, regardless of age or ability,” said Marisa Andrews, Contracts & Community Program Manager for S&DS.
Multiple benefits
SDS offers nutrition wellness programs to seniors, providing food through Meals on Wheels and Café 60 Dining Rooms. According to Andrews, they have served 103,900 meals to seniors in the last fiscal year through these programs. Approximately 200 volunteers currently support these programs, and an additional 50-60 more would help fill every open volunteer need.
There are no identified state or federal impacts on the program; however, leaders are monitoring for any impacts stemming from decisions made at the federal level. The budget for senior meals programs comprises a mix of federal, state, and local money.
“The funding to support these programs has, for the most part, remained level, but that funding doesn’t fund the full operating costs each year,” Andrews said. “Between our two services, we rely on $200,000 in donations each year to make ends meet. Cost of food, utilities, and labor continues to increase at alarming rates, widening the gap between shrinking federal funds and our operating costs.”
Money raised from fundraising, such as the race on Sunday, as well as charitable donations, helps support the senior programs. Oregon Community Foundation contributed $70,000 toward S&DS services.
