VNA Community Services, a nonprofit serving Knox County seniors since 1921, says it faces a growing funding challenge to maintain meals, counseling, and social programs for over 1,000 seniors annually.
In an interview on Galesburg’s Morning News on Thursday, VNA Executive Director Michael Bennett highlighted the urgency, noting, “With boomers aging, our older population will grow exponentially in the next 5 to 10 years.” He said services like home-delivered meals for 175 immobile seniors daily and the Senior Health Insurance Program, which saved $659,000 in medicinal costs last year, are at stake.
The Funding Hurdle: Title III’s Local Match
To access over $700,000 in federal Title III funds, which cover 85% of VNA’s budget, a 15% local cash match—now $120,000, up from $40,000 four years ago—is required. Rising food costs ($22,000 monthly) and inflation drive the increase. Without the match, VNA risks losing the entire allocation, leaving a “gap that Knox County seniors would have to deal with,” Bennett said.
City Ask and Community Petition
VNA is requesting a $50,000 annual commitment from the City of Galesburg, with Bennett arguing that 85% of its services benefit city residents.
A petition drive, with hundreds of signatures from churches, cafés, and neighbors, will be presented at the Monday, Sept. 15 City Council meeting at 6 p.m.
Outreach to Local Officials
Since 2023, Bennett said VNA has contacted city and county officials. Emails to the Knox County Board over eight months and a $100,000 request in 2024 were denied, though a $25,000 ARPA grant was received in 2022. He said city discussions with Mayor Peter Schwartzman and City Manager Eric Hanson cite budget constraints.
Bennett emphasized partnership, saying, “This isn’t about protest—it’s about collaboration.”
