Senior centers in Sebastian County are facing an unprecedented crisis as state and federal funding is slashed, leaving the executive director of the Sebastian County Senior Centers scrambling to find a way to keep critical services running.
Deanna Rice, the Executive Director of the Region 8 Senior Centers, has never had to place seniors on a waiting list for food—until now. “In my 20 years, I have never had to turn someone away because we did not have enough food,” an emotional Rice shared.
The current budget for the five senior centers in the county is $1.4 million, with $500,000 allocated solely for food. However, on April 24, 2025, Rice received an email notifying all executive directors that the next fiscal year’s budget would be “significantly lower” than anticipated, with a devastating 17% cut.
The SRCAs are subcontracted by the Area Agency on Aging, which channels funds from the state’s Department of Human Services (DHS). However, before reaching the centers, 10% of federal grant monies is retained for administrative costs, further reducing resources for seniors.
In 2024, state and federal grants totaled $685,966. In 2025, that amount has dropped to $640,081. A staggering $45,885 loss in funding.
Additional cuts include a reduction in USDA funds, resulting in a loss of $34,333 in funding. Employees, already working limited hours at minimum wage without benefits or retirement options, now face even greater financial uncertainty.
Although nutritional shortages are the main concern, Rice added that maintenance costs and operating expenses have also increased. This compounds the shortage of funding as it fails to address overall inflation. “We have to figure out a way to come up with the funds for gas for the Meals on Wheels vans, maintenance costs, and other operating expenses,” Rice explained.
Rice allocates funds to centers based on the number of meals served, but dwindling financial support means fewer resources for those in need. When Rice began working in the field 20 years ago, state and federal grant monies covered 50–66% of the budget. Today, that number has dropped to 42%.
“Hunger hurts. Isolation and the threat of hunger lead to depression and suicide,” Rice emphasized. “These are the harsh realities of this program going underfunded.”
Though local legislators pledged their support, meaningful legislative action has failed to materialize. Bills such as HB1920, which aimed to provide emergency food funding for seniors, and SB201, intended to allocate grants for home-delivered meals, never advanced past committee.
Rice urges lawmakers to revisit these crucial measures: “The solution is not to leave this up to our cities to fill the gap in funding. They cannot afford to shoulder that burden. What we need is for the program to be funded as it was intended to be when it originated.”
Despite the financial strain, Rice continues to seek alternative funding sources, applying for grants through United Way, Medicare, and Medicaid. She also highlights the importance of community contributions.
“No one over the age of 60 is required to pay for a meal,” Rice explained. “There is a suggested price of $4 for the meal. Even if someone can pay even $1, that is a help. We also welcome donations.” Rice noted that if someone makes a donation, they can ask that the monies applied locally, or they can be directed to meet the most urgent needs.
Rice also welcomes any questions about the program and its funding needs. Those looking to help, or have questions, can contact her directly at 479-648-9970.
With state and federal funding continuing to decline, the senior meal programs in Sebastian County are suffering the adverse effects. As Rice and her team navigate uncharted territory, one thing remains clear: the well-being of seniors depends on immediate action from lawmakers and advocates for the elderly in our community.
