The Wallingford Senior Center, housed in the Good Shepherd Center, will be closing its doors effective November 1st. King 5 reports:
The 1,500 seniors served at Wallingford Senior Center will have to find somewhere else to play bridge, share a meal or learn computers. […]”It is a priority but we have many competing priorities like police, fire, and other human services,” he said.Wallingford closes November 1, leaving seven other senior centers city-wide.“I Just felt like crying, I still feel like I’m going to burst into tears any minute,” says 80-year-old Barbara Hether, who also volunteers at the center.
Money is the main issue. And the timing of the center’s closure couldn’t be worse. A recent study found that in two years, it’s projected 20 percent of Seattle residents will be over age 60. […]
The funding challenges are unique for senior centers in Seattle. On average the city spends $11.50 per senior per year. Compare that to $30 dollars in Bellevue, and $233 in Tukwila.
“It’s a priority, but we have many competing priorities like police, fire, and other human services,” says Seattle City Councilman Tom Rasmussen. […]
The total city budget for all [seven senior centers city-wide] is $450,000, which means they’re left to count on private donors to make up the difference.
So, if you were thinking about trying out the famous Sunday Pancake breakfast that has been a last-Sunday-of-the-month tradition, this Sunday could be your last chance (or maybe your second to last). Margie wrote us back in August extolling it:
We went this morning for the first time and this was amazing! Not only is it THE best breakfast bargain in town ($4 adults, $2 kids, and you get coffee/tea, OJ, ham or veggie sausage, and pancakes or French toast!), but it is such a great place for community to come together (and great to see folks over 60!).
How many french toasts do we have to buy to keep the center open?
Wow, this really blows. Considering how little the City actually contributes to this facility ($11.50 x 1500 = $17,000 a year) I’m wondering in how deep a hole the Wallingford Senior Center is regarding private donations.
What’s the old quote? Something like, “A society can be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members.” Seems like we could do better.
On average the city spends $11.50 per senior per year.
Does anyone know how many Wallingford citizens would need to pledge a donation of 11.50 per year to keep the center open? Would the city bureaucracy have to be involved, or can we do this as a hood? Could the Good Shepherd Center manage the donations? This blows. Rise up, Wallyhood!
I wonder what city organization runs the senior ctrs in Seattle. Perhaps a quick phone call or email to inquire about the $$$ shortfall and any options to prevent closure could be made?
Maybe get Mallahan on it? Does anyone know someone on his campaign?