The Sedona Community Center has received a $10,000 influx of funds from Yavapai County to support its Meals on Wheels program, marking the first time the county has offered financial support to the center, according to Sedona Community Center Community Relations Coordinator Kristen Paduchowski.
“We became aware of a greater need for Meals on Wheels during the Community Development Block Grant application phase,” Yavapai County Supervisor Nikki Check [D-District 3] said.
The funding is part of a $40,000 allocation from Yavapai County’s budget process, split among four Meals on Wheels providers across the county. Each organization received $10,000, with the remaining funds going to the Verde Valley Senior Center in Cottonwood and providers in Chino Valley and Prescott. District 1 in Prescott and the southwest part of the county did not receive additional funds due to previous allocations.
The Sedona Community Center’s Meals on Wheels program provides around 100 meals daily to homebound seniors throughout the Sedona area, which includes both Yavapai and Coconino counties.
“We’re always in need of drivers,” Paduchowski said. “We’ve had at least three or four long-term drivers retire recently, including a husband-and-wife team who had been with us for 10 to 15 years. We’re especially short in the Village of Oak Creek, where we have two permanent driver positions open.”
Volunteer drivers are asked to commit to one day a week, from about 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., for at least one year because of fingerprint clearance and background check requirements.
“On top of that, our substitute driver pool is very low, and during the summer months — when we’re already short on permanent drivers — having subs to help fill in is really important,” Paduchowski said.”
In addition to direct services, the center is also seeking board members.
“We ask for at least a one-year commitment,” Paduchowski said. “Board meetings are held monthly on the third Tuesday afternoon and usually last one to two hours. From there, it’s up to each board member how involved they want to be.”
“We’ve had a dwindling of our board members for various reasons, so we’re looking to refresh the board. We’re hoping to bring on two or three new members who are active in the community, really understand our mission, and want to help with fundraising and day-to-day projects. Ultimately, we’re looking for people who can help provide stronger direction for the board.”
“The board is critical to the survival of a nonprofit, so it’s your opportunity to give back to the community,” Executive Director Marjorie Harris said.
For more information or to apply to be a Sedona Meals on Wheels driver, visit sccsedona.org or call (928) 282-2834.
To apply to be a board member or learn more about board service, contact director@sccsedona.org or call the main phone number and ask for Harris.
