MALONE -- A program that delivers nutritious meals to Franklin County senior citizens and the disabled was tossed a $3,000 lifeline Thursday so it could operate until March.
Retired Senior Volunteer Program Director Susan Schrader said the trouble is due to state budget cuts, tighter federal dollars and higher fuel costs drivers are paying to take hot food and emergency lunches to its Meals on Wheels clients.
RSVP is an all-volunteer agency that places seniors in community-service positions such as the gift shop at Alice Hyde Medical Center, High Peaks Hospice, the eight county adult centers, medical-transportation calls and more.
Schrader has an annual budget of $94,764, "but it's just not enough to operate on," she said. She is constantly holding fundraisers to bring in extra cash with such things as weekly Michigan Day at the County Courthouse, cookbook sales, silent auctions, a purse sale, a costume-jewelry sale and bake sales, she said.
"Unless we see more state money and federal money, there may not be an RSVP program.
"It goes back to mileage. The biggest problem is mileage."
Schrader has 100 volunteer drivers, and they are entitled to reimbursements of 31 cents per mile.
She said 40 of them now apply for reimbursement, which is up 25 percent from a year ago.
But, she said, she encourages the compensation because she knows they are battling fuel prices and the wear and tear on their personal vehicles to perform this important volunteer work.
However, because mileage vouchers have increased, she has less than $2,000 left in her volunteer-travel account to take her through March 31, when her new grant year begins.
The average monthly travel expense is $848, which would put RSVP $3,164 in the hole by the end of March.
After checking with County Treasurer Bryon Varin, legislators were able to pass a resolution to cover the needed expenses.
In other action Thursday, legislators:
Joined along with Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities officials to recognize the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, the Tri-Lakes Center for Independent Living and Ward Lumber as honor employers for their hiring disabled workers.
Appointed Thomas Finch, vice president of academic affairs at North Country Community College, to a two-year term on the Franklin County Workforce Council and the Regional Workforce Investment Board to expire Oct. 15, 2010.
Appointed Joseph Perry to a one-year term on the Board of Directors of the Franklin County Industrial Development Agency to expire Nov. 30, 2009.
Recognized Bernard J. "Jimmy" Brown of Tupper Lake for his 65 years of service as a firefighter with the Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department.
E-mail Denise A. Raymo at:
draymo@pressrepublican.com
Local News
More meal-delivery drivers seek gas money
- Breaking News
-
-
Fire at SUNY Canton shuts down campus
No one was hurt when flames erupted in Cook Hall on Friday, but students were sent home, and classes are canceled through next week.
-
United Way of the Adirondack Region exceeds goal
The 2012 campaign brought in $775,112.
-
Fire at SUNY Canton shuts down campus
- New Today
-
-
Moriah Chamber being revived
New leaders are cranking up the Moriah Champ Day and Labor Day celebrations, along with other efforts.
-
Clinton County to consolidate voting districts
The move is aimed at savings towns and the City of Plattsburgh money for hosting elections.
-
Waterway projects approved for Essex County
The State Emergency Management Office has so far identified 26 sites that need flood-mitigation or remediation; funding has come through for nine so far.
-
Champlain snowmobile crash results in serious injuries
Douglas M. Tetreault and Robert Worrell were transferred to Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington from CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh following the early morning accident along the Great Chazy River.
-
Moriah Chamber being revived
- Local News
-
-
Former Plattsburgh man sentenced for killing wife
Frank Dore, 57, of Bridgeport, Conn., was sentenced in court last week to 28 years in prison after killing his wife, Patti Rothermel-Dore, in their Connecticut home in 2010.
-
5 sex-crime cases heard in Franklin County
Five men recently appearing before the bench in Franklin County in separate incidents on charges involving rape, child porn and sexual contact with females as young as 6.
-
Town developing economic-development strategy
The new plan is intended to help the town present the assistance available as it attempts to attract businesses.
-
Mooers couple wins Valentine's Day wedding
Jessica Martin and Todd Dansereau will exchange vows live on Star 92.9.
-
Essex County will fund Horace Nye environmental study
The $3,000 evaluation is part of the process of marketing and selling the money-losing Nursing Home in Elizabethtown.
-
Nicaragua students tour North Country health-care facilities
A pair of 20-year-old medical students from Nicaragua have toured several health-care facilities. They are especially impressed with the physician-patient relationship in America, along with the advanced technology.
-
Ti Chamber to host employment-help workshops
The first open house, for both employers, employees and others from the Ticonderoga area, is Wednesday, Feb. 15.
-
Variety show, book sale featured at carnival
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival continues through Sunday.
-
Of Interest: Feb. 10, 2012
Dannemora to discuss highway post; Moriah School Board plans agenda; National Grid plans helicopter survey; AVCS School Board meeting on tap; Donations to Food Pantry will multiply.
-
Florida minister speaking at Plattsburgh House of Prayer
Head director of the Orlando House of Prayer in Ocoee, Fla., who also ministered for years with Benny Hinn, will speak at services Friday and Sunday.
- February 9, 2012
-
Former Plattsburgh man sentenced for killing wife
Frank Dore, 57, of Bridgeport, Conn., was sentenced in court last week to 28 years in prison after killing his wife, Patti Rothermel-Dore, in their Connecticut home in 2010.
-
Nicaragua students tour North Country health-care facilities
A pair of 20-year-old medical students from Nicaragua have toured several health-care facilities. They are especially impressed with the physician-patient relationship in America, along with the advanced technology.
-
Sex-crime cases
Five men recently appearing before the bench in Franklin County in separate incidents on charges involving rape, child porn and sexual contact with females as young as 6.
-
Essex County will fund Horace Nye environmental study
The $3,000 evaluation is part of the process of marketing and selling the money-losing Nursing Home in Elizabethtown.
-
Westport fire guts home
Teens escape early morning fire.
-
Peru School looks at relocating sixth grade
Parents and teachers are concerned by the possible change, which is being considered to cut costs.
-
Schools can exceed tax cap in some areas
BOCES business manager explains tax-cap-levy calculation.
-
Town hiring notice causes confusion
The Town of Malone's attempt to contract with an administrator for a business-loan program may not have followed state-grant guidelines.
-
- Recent Article Comments
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
