Bamberg County seniors at risk as Meals on Wheels faces major funding crisis
BAMBERG COUNTY, S.C. (WJBF) — A funding crisis could leave Bamberg County seniors hungry and alone as The Meals on Wheels program is nearly out of money.
'This money, it is getting less and less each and every year,' Executive Director Kay Cleary. 'And we are already told that next year's going to be cut a little more. and I don't see how they can do this. So many of these seniors need this meal.
County leaders say The Lower Savannah Area Agency on Aging faces a $2.3 million cut this year.The Meals on Wheels Program in Bamberg County is low on funds. By February, Bamberg County had already spent nearly 90% of its meal budget. They were told more money was coming. So, they added more seniors. By October, the funding fell through. Now, they're serving more people than they're paid to. 'Some have made choices not to serve, but thank goodness we have saved some and we do get money from some churches in the county and we decided of course we would fulfill that,' she said.
The group serves 150 home-delivered meals a day. Another 50 are served at the center. Right now, 75 to 85 people are on the waiting list. 'Sometimes they can't even take the trash to the curb, so we have to help them with that,' Site Manager Cady Stack added. 'They like to have people talk to 'em. They don't have anybody come by. So sometimes our face is the only face they see all day.'
The County Council adopted a resolution asking state leaders to step in and secure emergency funding. 'I've met wonderful people here,' Ella Breland. 'Some that , I knew before coming and quite a few after I came here. And I really enjoy talking and just communicating with people every day and when I don't come I miss my friends. I love all of them.'
'It's a wonderful program and good thing about this program is that a lot of the members that receive those lunch it's probably mostly special meal that they would really receive and it's a nutritious meal,' Samella Porter added.
Bamberg County Councilwoman Sharon Hammond tells me letters, and a resolution went to state offices and lawmakers about the concerns. She's now waiting to hear back.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Ladybugs, you should be after this lucky charm
AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF) – A day for good luck charms, what do you like? 'My little girl, she loves horses, I prefer the horseshoes,' said Heather Lanier. 'Yes, if it lands on you,' Heather said. At Ladybugs Flowers and Gifts, there's no concerns about things going bad on this day. 'Absolutely, I feel lucky. I'm not afraid of Friday the 13th, I'm a ladybug,' said Shannon Pollard. Yes, lots have been written about ladybugs being a good luck symbol. Richmond County's Extension Agent understands and says they're good for the garden. 'Just really good on pests, especially aphids, because aphids will eat succulents on plants and stuff. You really like them in your garden your home gardens.' At Ladybugs they like them in the store…at least in gift versions, and the store is famous for placing one on the flowers they send out. 'The ladybug where we put the flower arrangements, it's very important to our customers. They will call back and ask for their little ladybug,' said Shannon. Ladybugs mean good luck. What would happen if you found a ladybug on a four-leaf clover under a horseshoe? 'That's super lucky. I would say that's double lucky,' said Shannon. 'It would be a good weekend for you, especially on Friday the 13th,' said Campbell. Ladybugs…the best of luck Out There Somewhere in Martinez, George Eskola WJBF NewsChannel 6. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Vandalism at Langley Pond Park causes limited availability for bathroom facilities
AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF) – Aiken County Parks and Recreation announced the Langley Pond Park bathroom facilities will now operate under limited hours due to 'continued vandalism.' In a statement posted to the county government Facebook page on Friday, officials state the bathrooms will only be open when park staff are on site. According to the department, staff are typically on site Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and seven days a week from the Memorial Day to Labor Day season. Aiken County Parks and Recreation apologized for the inconvenience. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Burke County School Nutrition Program marks 20 years of summer meals for kids
BURKE COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF)- The Burke County School Nutrition Program is once again offering food to kids ages 18 and under. It's the 20th year this program has been feeding kids. Burke County Public Schools work to ensure kids get food this summer. There are days when they show up to work very early in the morning. 'Mondays, Wednesdays, the days we pack the boxes. I mean, we make the boxes and put them nonperishable stuff in as much as we can if it's available, available at that time. But on Tuesdays and Thursdays, it's crunch time, because we get up early, I'm here for 4:30 sometime, 3:45 trying to make sure that we get these boxes packed and get these get them loaded onto the busses on Tuesday and Thursday,' said Malinda Mitchell, Burke County Middle School nutrition manager. They do this to make sure kids have a meal daily. 'A lot of the parents work and a lot of the kids be at home. You know, sometimes basically with these boxes, they get like a five day supply and that helps the parents out and it helps the kids out as well, because they get a good nutritious meal out every day when they're home and lunch, all day, every day.' And she says how excited the kids are when they get the boxes. 'They love the food. They love the boxes, especially with the little one where they get their box and open up and see all the stuff and they just like, they getting a present for Christmas because they see all the food arranged in the box and knowing that they will have food to eat.' Click here to see bus routes, delivery schedules, numbers to call, and more. If you're outside of the Burke County area, and looking for meals for your students this summer, click 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
