Grants helping Palmer Senior Center grow

PALMER — In a time when many non-profit groups are shrinking their services, Palmer Senior Center is the exception.

With the help of money from two grants awarded recently, the center is looking to expand its area of coverage to meet the growing need.

First, the center is getting more than $58,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The money from the federal stimulus package is going to the center’s meals programs, office manager Rachel Greenberg said.

“It will allow us to provide more meals to more people,” Greenberg said.

The center offers both congregate meals at its Palmer cafeteria and a home-delivery meal service. The money will allow the center to continue its service through March 31, 2010 and expand its coverage to outlying areas of the borough, Greenberg said.

“We’re looking at providing transportation out Knik River Road to bring the seniors to and from the congregate meals. This way they get the nutrition and the socialization they need,” Greenberg said.

She said residents out by Sutton can already take advantage of the delivery service, but she hopes to get vans running there as well.

“The goal is to cover from Butte to Sutton and everywhere in between,” Greenberg said.

The second grant is a portion of a large donation made by the Rasmuson Foundation to low-income service providers throughout the state. The $6,744.20 that the Palmer Senior Center is getting can be used for meals, shelter or rent and utility assistance, Greenberg said.

“It is to keep people fed, warm and sheltered,” she said. “We’re going to try to use it as much for meals as possible.”

These grants come at a time when the demand for the center’s services are dramatically expanding, Greenberg said.

“Everyone knows the Mat-Su is the fastest growing area of Alaska. But few realize the senior population is growing even faster than the general population.”

With the money, the center is going to try to help as many people as possible, Greenberg said, and she hopes anyone in need of assistance will call the center.

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.