Senior meals director thanks Chelan for support that kept program whole through budget cuts

CHELAN — A regional senior-meal provider that serves thousands of older adults each month is scaling back across several counties. But that’s not being felt nearly as sharply in the Chelan Valley, thanks to the city’s continued financial support.

That was the message from LeeAnne Weathersby, chair of the Chelan Senior Center and assistant program director for OCTN — Okanogan County Transportation and Nutrition — who addressed the Chelan City Council on Tuesday night to share her appreciation.

Weathersby oversees OCTN’s meal programs in both Chelan and Douglas counties. The nonprofit, founded in 1975, provides congregate meals in Chelan and Entiat, and delivers Meals on Wheels throughout a large geographic area.

“I personally make upwards of 3,000 meals a month,” she told the council, noting she works with two rotating volunteers and a single dedicated dishwasher — “thank the Lord.”

OCTN relies entirely on donations and a mix of local, state, and federal funding. This year’s budget reductions forced the organization to scale back services in multiple communities, and in some cases, to close programs altogether.

But in Chelan, she said, the city’s investment helped shield seniors from the worst of those cuts.

“Our 50-year-old company has had to make the unfortunate decision to close some of our sites,” Weathersby said. “Now, with that being said, I’m not here today to ask for anything. I am here to take a moment and to express my gratitude to the City of Chelan.”

Because of Chelan’s support, she explained, “we here in Chelan Valley will only have to cut one day a week from our program due to the budget cuts, while other sites are cutting multiple days, if not the whole program, from their sites.”

She added that Chelan’s contributions are unusually strong: “The City of Chelan has offered their financial support over the years that exceeds other sites as well as entire counties.”

Weathersby delivered her thanks with several senior-meal recipients seated behind her in the audience.

“My seniors, which we have some here today, and all of OCTN’s staff just wanted to take a moment and make sure that you knew personally just how much and how important your help is and how thankful we are for your support,” she said. “Again, thank you. Have a safe evening.”

Mayor Erin McCardle replied simply: “I honestly don’t know how you do it. So, thank you.”

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media