Floyd Judge-Executive says senior citizens centers are facing cuts of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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The Johnson County Paintsville Department of Tourism arranged a prom night for seniors.

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The Pike County Extension Office is helping area seniors purchase fresh produce and honey

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A West Virginia program helping adults age 55 and older return to the workforce is seeing renewed interest as inflation and high gas prices squeeze the budgets of the Mountain State’s older residents, many of whom are living on fixed incomes.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program, managed by the National Council on Aging and funded under a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, provides job training, job-search services and on-the-job experience.

Becky Raspperry, program manager for the National Council on Aging West Virginia Resource Center, explained many older adults face barriers understanding technology and finding employment which is not physically demanding along with transportation challenges.

“A lot of seniors don’t have the support system that they need,” Raspperry pointed out. “They don’t have the financial means to live above poverty.”

She added most employment program participants receive six months of training before landing a permanent job. The latest United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings Senior Report found nationwide, the number of older adults who do not have enough money for housing, food, medical care and other basic needs is on the rise.

Raspperry noted qualifying individuals must be a West Virginia resident age 55 and older, meet financial eligibility requirements. A family of one cannot make more than around $18,000 dollars a year, and cannot be employed at the time of enrollment.

“They can contact the West Virginia resource office; it’s (304) 218-2873,” Raspperry pointed out. “And if it’s not in my grant area, I can find out who has that area.”

According to the National Council on Aging, more than 16 million older adults age 65-plus are economically insecure, with older women more likely to live in poverty as a result of wage discrimination and leaving the workforce for caregiving.

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PIKEVILLE, Ky. — As anticipation builds for the Pikeville Farmers Market this weekend, organizers of the WIC and senior voucher give-away spent the day with Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles.

Starting Thursday, the Pike County Health Department will be handing out WIC fruit and veggie vouchers to be used at various Kentucky farmers markets.

The vouchers can be used for fresh produce for anyone over five months old and already enrolled in the WIC program.

“It’s so important that people help take care of themselves by eating healthy and that means buying Kentucky Proud,” said Quarles. “We’re very proud to know that Pikeville has a high utilization rate with WIC and the Seniors Farmers Market.”

Each voucher is worth $4. Only participants who receive WIC from the Pike County Health Department in Pikeville will be eligible for the vouchers given out Thursday and Friday. Farmers with the Pikeville Farmers Market will be at the health department tomorrow to offer a pop-up market. 

“The Kentucky Department of Ag, along with some other agencies in Frankfort, help administer some of these government programs. In particular, the Department of Agriculture administers the double-dollars program where those who qualify can go to a farmers market and actually buy twice as much produce with the same spending power,” added Quarles.

Those registered for WIC at the Pike County Health Department in Belfry will be able to pick up vouchers at the Belfry location on July 19th and 20th.

“Those who utilize these programs are making a proactive step to help better their health. Whenever you eat better, it helps prevent issues down the road. We’re happy that Pikeville continues to be a role model community when it comes to utilizing these programs.”

Saturday, the Pikeville Farmers Market will be distributing vouchers for qualifying senior citizens.

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