Bend, Ore., December 21, 2020 – The Council on Aging of Central Oregon today announced that it
has just received multiple grants from the St. Charles Foundation to support key programs assisting
older adults throughout Central Oregon. Ranging from support for buying food to funds to help create
a safer space for older adults, the grants will enable the Council on Aging to provide vital services for
older adults during COVID and for years to come.
“During this pandemic, which is challenging for all but especially for older people, the Council on
Aging has increased its programming to help keep older adults safe and at home,” said Susan
Rotella, Executive Director for the Council on Aging of Central Oregon. “The generosity of the St.
Charles Foundation will help us continue to provide more meals to more seniors throughout the
upcoming winter.”
Funds generously provided by St. Charles will support the Council on Aging’s nutrition programs for
older adults, including Meals on Wheels and the Grab-N-Go Drive-Thru meals it provides in four local
cities. These programs have provided almost 13,000 meals each month to older adults throughout the
region during the pandemic crisis. The St. Charles Foundation is also assisting the Council on Aging
to provide holiday gifts for its clients via the St. Charles Sponsorship program. In lieu of a traditional
holiday gathering for seniors this winter, these gifts will provide a small token of holiday spirit. And,
the local health system has also granted funding to help with the building renovations at the Council
on Aging’s new site at 1036 NE Fifth Street. This new center will allow the Council on Aging to
directly serve older adults in a facility devoted to their wellbeing, once the danger from COVID
passes.
“We are happy to support the work of the Council on Aging because we know the importance of the
services provided by the Council on Aging to the older adults in our region,” said Carlos Salcedo, of
the St. Charles Foundation. “We are all working together to help keep older people safe and well.”
The Council on Aging provides Meals on Wheels, Grab-N-Go drive-through lunches, information and
referral, and caregiver support throughout Central Oregon. To find out more, contact the Council on
Aging of Central Oregon at (541) 678-5483 or councilonaging.org.
