As we close out 2024, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible progress and challenges of the past year. This year-in-review highlights the resilience of our community and the growth of our programs to meet the increasing needs of older adults in Central Oregon.
Our Information and Referral team has been busier than ever, fielding calls and drop-ins to connect older adults and families with essential resources. Reception staff and volunteers have become trusted guides, offering compassionate support at every interaction. Meanwhile, our Case Managers are out in the community, visiting clients, assisting with enrollments, and identifying services to help them thrive.
This year, our Nutrition team has gone above and beyond, accommodating the growing demand for Meals on Wheels and community dining programs. These meals provide more than nourishment — they deliver connection, safety, and care. Our wraparound programs like Caring Connections, Pet Pals, SHIBA, Health Promotions and Senior Law Days continue to address older adults’ diverse needs, from companionship to advocacy.
Behind the scenes, our Finance and Development teams play a vital role in keeping our programs running seamlessly, enabling us to sustain and grow our services.
This work is fueled by the generosity of our volunteers and donors, whose support allows us to adapt to rising demands and make a meaningful impact.
As we look to 2025, we’re energized by the opportunity to serve even more seniors with care and compassion. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a hopeful new year.
A Bigger Bite
The demand for nutrition services continues to grow across Central Oregon with a 17% increase in Community Dining meals and a 15% increase in Meals on Wheels from 2023 to 2024. Thanks to our dedicated staff and volunteers, we’ve managed these increases, but without additional federal funding, sustaining this growth may become challenging by the end of the fiscal year.
Partnerships and Expansions
- The Senior Services Center in Bend is a new location for the NeighborImpact Mobile Food Pantry on the third Thursday of each month.
- For the second year, we are offering Fresh Harvest Kits to Meals on Wheels clients in Sisters thanks to a partnership with the High Desert Food and Farm Alliance.
- Seed to Table generously donated fresh vegetables throughout the summer, enriching our community dining meals and Meals on Wheels deliveries.
- Thanks to support from the Sunriver Women’s Club, Deschutes County, and The Roundhouse Foundation, we are now delivering freshly cooked, hot meals in La Pine through Meals on Wheels.
- We worked with our Senior Center partners to distribute nearly 1,000 shelf- stable meals to Meals on Wheels clients across the tri-county area. These meals are intended to serve as a backup during emergencies or days when severe weather prevents regular meal deliveries.
- We’ve added a fantastic new piece of equipment to our operations! Thanks to the high volume of meals we prepare, we’ve been able to acquire an Oliver conveyor belt packaging system at no cost. This new machinery will greatly improve our efficiency, helping us package meals faster to meet the community’s growing needs.
Aging Well, Wherever and However You Choose
- With a generous grant from the Administration for Community Living, we’ve grown our Caring Connections program to offer in-person volunteer-client interactions and events. We are now serving 55 clients with 62 volunteers.
- We purchased a wheelchair-accessible van, funded by a Transportation Infrastructure Grant through the Oregon Department of Human Services, to improve client transportation.
- Over the past year, our Pet Pals program has expanded to serve Meals on Wheels clients in Madras, Sisters, Bend, and La Pine, with plans to grow into Prineville next. We’re currently supporting 124 clients and 188 pets.
- After a setback during the pandemic, our Health Promotions classes are back and expanding through a partnership with the Oregon Wellness Network and funding from TMS. These initiatives are vital in ensuring that older adults in our community receive the support they need to live independently and healthily.
Planning for a Stronger Future
We’re developing our new Area Plan to guide our programs for the coming years. With 500+ survey responses, we’re gaining valuable insights into the evolving needs of seniors in Central Oregon.
Volunteers make it possible
The Council on Aging and its Senior Center partners are proud to have over 700 dedicated volunteers working to keep seniors in Central Oregon safe, fed, and connected. So far in 2024, these volunteers have contributed an impressive 15,390 hours of service, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of older adults.
Fueling Our Mission Through Grants
As we close out the year, we are thrilled to have secured several new grants that will help us expand and enhance our programs. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the following funders for their generous support:
- Harvest Foundation – Meals on Wheels (3-years)
- Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund – Meals on Wheels
- PacificSource – General Operations
- Roundhouse Foundation – Meals on Wheels and Family Caregiver Support
- TC Energy – Meals on Wheels
- JTMF Foundation – Meals on Wheels
Welcoming New Staff
We’re excited to have new team members join us in key roles. Their expertise and enthusiasm bring fresh perspectives and energy to our organization. Please join us in welcoming Brenna Cranswick, Information and Resource Specialist; David Cooper, Sous Chef; and Heather VanDatta, Receptionist and Administrative Assistant.
To meet growing demand and to implement a major upcoming federal program, the Client Services team
has expanded to five case managers, including one bilingual member. They work diligently to connect seniors with resources, conduct assessments, and create personalized care plans.
Board of Directors & Advisory Council Updates
The Council on Aging is pleased to welcome Cathy Schroth as the newest member of its Board of Directors and Casey Munck to the Advisory Council. We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Kaitlyn Bertholet for her years of service on the Advisory Council.
We also wish to honor the life and legacy of Louise Muir, who passed away in June of this year. Louise devoted over 20 years as a leader at the Jefferson County Senior Center, coordinating meals and activities for seniors, supporting veterans, and advocating tirelessly within the community. She also served on the Council on Aging’s Advisory Committee for six years, providing valuable insight and leadership. Her passing is a profound loss to the Central Oregon senior community, and her contributions will not be forgotten.
