The Pennsylvania Department of Aging has awarded funding to 45 senior centers across the state to ensure they support seniors.
WAYNE, Pa. — The Wayne Senior Center in Radnor Township has received a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, state officials announced Tuesday.
The Pennsylvania Department on Aging announced that 45 senior community centers in 26 counties across the state will receive one of the department’s 2023-24 competitive grants totaling $2 million to help seniors stay healthy in familiar community locations. The company announced that it will be able to provide services to help people maintain their families and maintain connections with their families. community.
subscribe
In Radnor, Wayne Senior Center is receiving $50,000 to enhance nutrition services.
The additional $1 million that Gov. Josh Shapiro set aside in his first budget for senior community centers that serve as a lifeline of social support in their communities did not compete for larger grants. It will be distributed to hundreds of other senior community centers. Senior community centers across Pennsylvania welcome thousands of seniors through their doors every day. Competitive grants help senior community centers fund large-scale projects such as updating and modernizing facilities, offering new health and recreational programs, upgrading technology, and enhancing nutrition services.
Grant funds will be appropriated by the General Assembly with proceeds from the Pennsylvania Lottery.
“The Department appreciates Governor Shapiro and his continued commitment to working with the General Assembly to support our seniors. With the additional $1 million non-competitive grant, no capital improvements will be required. “This is an important effort to improve access and programs for seniors,” said Secretary of Aging Jason Kavrich. . “Our senior community centers are a cornerstone of our communities and the seniors they serve. On some days, senior community centers may provide seniors with their only interaction. We want to ensure that our Center is welcoming and inclusive. We accept projects funded by both competitive and non-competitive grants. It not only creates new opportunities for businesses to welcome existing visitors and attract new consumers, it also helps them enhance existing programs and services.”
The additional $1 million that Mr. Shapiro secured in his first budget created a permanent new, non-competitive path to the grant program.
Because competitive grants typically fund large-scale projects, non-competitive grants can meet smaller needs and allow more senior community centers to benefit from funding. Masu. A total of 392 senior community centers were awarded non-competitive awards of $2,551 per center.
Both competitive and non-competitive grants help senior community centers fund projects based on their needs and those expressed by the seniors who attend them. A total of 437 senior community centers received competitive or non-competitive grants this year.
Across Pennsylvania, there are 484 senior community centers affiliated with Area Agencies on Aging that provide a variety of services, including nutritious meals, educational opportunities, transportation services, financial and insurance counseling, and exercise programs. doing.
