Executive Director Les Ford addressed media and community members at the Heinz-Menaker Senior Center.
A Harrisburg senior center is pleading with the city for funds to remain open.
At a press conference on Tuesday at the Heinz-Menaker Senior Center, Executive Director Les Ford made his case for why the center should receive a portion of Harrisburg’s federal COVID relief money.
In November, the city proposed giving $250,000 of its share of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, which is currently in Harrisburg’s general fund, to the senior center. That money was originally earmarked by City Council to go to senior programming. However, council had concerns about how the decision was made to award the total allocation to Heinz-Menaker and why there was no application process for the funds.
City officials and Heinz-Menaker representatives stated that Heinz-Menaker is the only full-service, stand-alone senior center in the city, while members of council stated that according to Dauphin County information, there were several others.
According to Ford, the center, which opened in 1992, will not be able to operate for much longer without the funds.
“We are in a crisis right now. We accrued debt during COVID, specifically related to COVID activities,” he said. “We did our part to help during COVID. Now, we are looking to build back better.”
Ford said that the center has long relied on county, state and local funds to stay afloat, but began to really struggle financially during the pandemic, as they ramped up their Meals on Wheels services and other community assistance.
With the city money, Ford said, the center could pay off its debt accrued during COVID and begin building back its programming.
“It really shouldn’t be a discussion,” said Eric Jackson, a pastor at Kingdom Embassy Church in Harrisburg. “There should’ve been at the top of the list, a priority, this particular center.”
Without an infusion of funds, the center may be able to make it into the new year, relying on remaining county COVID-relief funds, but will likely run out of money to operate in the first quarter, Ford said.
“I would be downhearted,” said Mildred Watts, who crochets hats for premature babies and weaves mats for the homeless in the center’s craft room. “This is my life in here.”
Several council members have stated that they don’t have an issue with Heinz-Menaker receiving funds, but rather have concerns about why all of the money is being given to them.
Ultimately, council has to vote on how to distribute the $250,000 in ARPA money for senior programming.
If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!
