New Senior Center Planned For Ferguson

The Mid-East Area Agency on Aging (MEAAA) has been awarded $62,737 in Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credits, which will enable it to remodel and reopen its Senior Resource Center, located in the Ferguson Community Center. When fully operational the center is expected to serve 60 meals a day to seniors age 60 and older from throughout the North County area at the senior center and to provide 225 meals per day for home-bound seniors.

"We are very pleased to receive these NAP tax credits for the MEAAA Ferguson Resource Center," said Mary Schaefer, MEAAA executive director. "There has been no local senior center in North St. Louis County for several years. We anticipate the availability of these tax credits will enable us to secure the donations to build out and operate this vitally needed center."

The MEAAA Senior Resource Center will include both a senior center that will provide numerous programs and services for older adults, as well as a refurbished central kitchen that will provide hot meals, noontime meals five times per week, 52 weeks per year for visitors to the center.  MEAAA delivers more than 2,200 meals per day to home-bound older adults across MEAAA's four-county service area.

The MEAAA Ferguson Resource Center will also serve as a social gathering place for seniors. "Socialization is so important to help them remain engaged and alert," said Schaefer. "We expect this center to become a focal point for seniors from throughout North County, and we plan to offer transportation, caregiver support and other services to ensure that we maximize its impact in the community."

The NAP tax credits are available on a first-come, first-serve basis to corporations, partnerships, financial institutions, insurance companies, and individuals who donate a minimum of $1,000 to MEAAA. They provide a credit equal to 50 percent of the donation amount, which may be claimed on the donor's Missouri tax return. For example, a donor in the 35 percent tax bracket making a $2,500 donation would receive a $1,250 Missouri tax credit. When combined with the federal and state charitable income tax deductions allowed, the net cost of that $2,500 donation to MEAAA would only be $663.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to charitably minded businesses to make a real impact on the lives of their older neighbors, while saving significant tax dollars in the process," added Schaefer. "It's a win-win for everyone."

Founded in 1973, Mid-East Area Agency on Aging is the area's leading source for unbiased and comprehensive information on local senior services to help people find senior housing, care facilities, support groups and much more. MEAAA also provides support services through its 22 senior centers in St. Louis, St. Charles, Franklin and Jefferson Counties. Persons age 60 and older, family caregivers and adults with disabilities may access a wide range of programming from assistance with Medicare and health insurance questions to exercise and social opportunities, transportation services, energy, and legal assistance, disaster preparedness and assistance with acquiring medical equipment and supplies. In addition, MEAAA operates the largest Meals on Wheels program, bringing nutritious meals and companionship to more than 2,200 home-bound seniors each weekday. MEAAA also serves as a Marketplace Navigator for the Affordable Care Act, providing assistance with selecting a health plan or completing an application.

For more information on MEAAA or the NAP tax credits program, call 1-800-AGE-6060 or go to www.agingmissouri.org