Author: Justina Cockerham

Older Americans Act Celebrating 50 Years!

May 4, 2022
The Older Americans Act (OAA) established the Administration on Aging, the first federal agency designed to address the struggles of older Americans. This year, the OAA is celebrating their 50th Anniversary, their theme for Older Americans Month (OAM) 2022 is “Age My Way.” This special recognition provides an opportunity for all of us to explore the many ways older adults can remain in and be involved with their communities. The OAA funds critical services that keep our nation’s seniors healthy and independent services like meals, job training, senior centers, health promotion, benefits enrollment, caregiver support, transportation, and more.
Take part in OAM no matter what your age. Get involved and learn more by visiting https://acl.gov/oam/2022/older-americans-month-2022 or follow #OlderAmericansMonth.

March For Meals With Meals On Wheels

March 1, 2022
For the last 20 years, the Meals on Wheels network has claimed the month of March as its time to join forces to strengthen the impact of its efforts and rally communities around what you all do. This year, we hope you’ll join Meals on Wheels America and programs across the country in a special March for Meals celebration honoring the 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program.
WHY THE MONTH OF MARCH?
The annual March for Meals celebration commemorates the historic day on March 22, 1972, when President Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include a national nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older. This year, Meals on Wheels programs from across the country are joining forces for the awareness campaign to celebrate 50 years of success and garner the support needed to ensure these critical programs can continue to address food insecurity and malnutrition, combat social isolation, enable independence, and improve health for years to come.
Programs from across the country have celebrated the month of March since 2002 to increase awareness for Meals on Wheels and recruit the support needed to meet rising demand.

Senior Nutrition Program 50th Anniversary

Nutrition is a vital component of our health and well-being, especially as we age. But in communities throughout the U.S., older adults sometimes lack access to the high-quality, nutritious food they need to remain healthy and independent.
Since 1972, the national Senior Nutrition Program has been there to support older adults by providing nutrition services across the country. Funded by the Older Americans Act, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) provides grants to states to support a network of local programs that deliver nutrition services to older adults. These programs promote healthy eating, decrease social isolation, and support better health. They also provide a gateway for older adults to access other home and community-based services such as falls prevention programs, chronic disease management services, and more.
Visit ACL’s Senior Nutrition Program 50th Anniversary website to learn more about this important milestone and join the conversation on social media using hashtag #SNP50.

Atchison VITA Opportunity

February 8, 2022

The Atchison Catholic Charities will have 4 days this year
that they are doing VITA returns in the Atchison area.
Please call them to schedule your free tax return preparation.
913-367-5070

Commodity Distribution

COMMODITY DISTRIBUTION
NORTH BROWN COUNTY
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Commodities for North Brown County will be distributed from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on
 Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at Eternal Hope Family Life Center, 424 Oregon St., in Hiawatha.

Distribution for Brown County residents is first-come, first-served and income based.

Masks and social distancing required. Please enter the building and sign-in.
Thanks to everyone for their patience.

For more information, call 785-740-9001.

Kansas Relay Center

January 31, 2022

Kansas Relay is a public service which guarantees all citizens access to prompt, professional and accurate communication through the telephone.  Consumers of these specialized services, specifically individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or have difficulty speaking, can communicate on the telephone via TTY, Voice Carry Over, Hearing Carry Over, Speech-to-Speech, Spanish Relay and Captioned Telephone in order to connect with fa ily, friends or businesses with ease.

Please see the attached flyer for more information.  Kansas Relay Center 711

TAX TIME!

January 4, 2022

The VITA program is back again this year from February 16th through April 6th, 2022.  So call 785-742-7152 today to make your appointment.

click here for more info

Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA )

January 3, 2022
As many of you know, Kansas was awarded millions of dollars in emergency rental assistance funding. Most of that funding has been allocated to the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC). To date, KHRC has paid out over $73 million in emergency rental assistance through the Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA) program, but there are still millions of dollars left that can be used to stop people from being evicted.

Since the CDC eviction moratorium was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, evictions for nonpayment of rent have returned in full force. But, we can help tenants remain in their homes, and help landlords get compensated, by letting people know about the KERA program.

Here is what KERA can cover:
  • Up to 15 months of current and past due household rent.
  • Up to three months of prospective household rent at a time, even if the household does not have rental arrears.
  • Past due residential utility or home energy expenses for tenants (electric, as, water, sewer, and trash services), even if the household does not have rental arrears.
  • Past due or prospective internet expenses for tenants, paid in one lump sum of $750, provided the tenant household is also eligible to receive assistance for past-due rental or utility bills.
  • Additional fees associated with past-due rent or utility bills may be covered, including: reasonable late fees, rental security deposits, application or screening fees, pet fees, utility fees, parking fees, garage fees, and/or legal fees.
Originally, KHRC required tenants to provide documentation of a COVID-19 hardship, that they were experiencing a risk of homelessness or housing instability, and that their income qualified for the program. But, with the latest round of funding, KHRC can now accept signed, self-attestations from tenants. However, Tenants will still need to provide documentation that they are a renter and proof of their identity.

Attached are KHRC’s KERA program guidelines, program FAQs, the income limits by county, tenant flyer, and landlord flyer.  You can also find these documents, and others, on the KHRC website at https://kshousingcorp.org/emergency-rental-assistance/, in English, Spanish, Dari, and Pashto.

KERA Income Limits

Tenant Flyer – English

Landlord Flyer – English

KERA Program FAQs – English

Share the Love Event – Stuff the Trunk of a Subaru and help support the Brown County Humane Society

December 1, 2021

Share the Love this holiday season and donate supplies to the Brown County Humane Society. Event will be held Friday, December 10, 2021, from          2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 1803 Oregon St., Hiawatha, Kansas.

Donations Needed:

  • Pet Food – Dry or Canned
  • Dog & Cat Treats
  • Puppy and/or Kitten Formula Milk Replacer
  • Greenies Pill Pockets
  • Puppy Training or Dog Pads
  • Poop Bags
  • Cat Litter
  • Dog or Cat Toys
  • Dog or Cat Shampoo                          
  • Dog Collars (any size
  • Bleach
  • Any Type of Laundry Detergent
  • Fabuloso All Purpose Cleaner
  • Dishwashing Liquid Soap
  • Disinfectant Wipes
  • Paper Towels
  • Disposable Gloves
  • Trash Bags
  • High Pressure Adjustable Hose Nozzle
  • Post-it Sticky Note Pads

2021 Subaru Share the Love Event – Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from November 18, 2021, through January 3, 2022, to four national charities designated by the purchaser or lessee. For every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased during the campaign period, participating retailers will donate a minimum of $50 in total to their registered Hometown Charities. See your local Subaru retailer for details or visit subaru.com/share. All donations made by Subaru of America, Inc.

Local Meals on Wheels programs provide daily nutritious meals, nourishing companionship and critical safety checks to America’s homebound seniors. Each donation helps these programs enable seniors to age with independence and dignity in their own homes, where they want to be. Since its inception thirteen years ago, the Subaru Share the Love Event has helped deliver more than 2.5 million meals to America’s seniors!