Contribution rates increased for Senior Meals

At the beginning of this month, the suggested contribution rate for Senior Meals and Services has increased for the first time in over 10 years.

In a letter to clients, Cathy Saele-Odendaal, the Executive Director of Senior Meals and Services (SMS) out of Devils Lake, wrote that costs are increasing inorder to accommodate for the “never ending” rise in prices for groceries, supplies, fuel and more.

“Senior Meals & Services must raise the suggested contribution rate from $4.00 to $5.00 effective as of August 1, 2024,” she wrote.

The contribution rate, which was last raised on January 1, 2013, is only a suggestion for those over the age of 60 who receive congregate and home delivered meals.

All money contributed by those who participate in the program goes toward the cost of each meal, which far exceeds the new $5 contribution rate.

“Currently the cost to prepare a meal is $14.79,” wrote Saele-Odendaal.

The average contribution rate for a home delivered meal is $2.01, and North Dakota’s department of Adult and Aging Services reimburses an additional $8.89 per meal. That leaves an average of $3.89 per meal that Senior Meals and Services must find a way to cover.

Meanwhile, “the average contribution rate for a congregate meal is $2.82, aging services reimburses SMS $7.62/congregate meal, leaving $4.35/meal to be funded by SMS,” wrote Saele-Odendaal.

Again, Saele-Odendaal emphasized the fact that this rate increase is only a suggestion.

However, 60 percent of SMS funding comes directly from contributions, so they’re asking those who receive meals to contribute whatever they’re able to keep the service functioning.