Senior center receives challenge grant to reopen Venango meal site

The Perkins County Senior Center has received a challenge grant from the Immanuel Vision Foundation of Omaha to reopen the Venango meal site. 

And now, they need the community’s help to make it a reality. 

In November of 2018, the Venango site was abruptly halted with the passing of Nancy Reynolds, their food provider, board member and friend.  

In the months after, the Perkins County Senior Center Board of Directors worked diligently to find a solution to get the meal site back up and operating.  After facing many barriers, Director Trish Jimenez decided that writing a grant to re-establish the site would be the best option. A grant would give the meal site a better chance of becoming self-sustainable and would be a long-term solution.

The grant came in the form of a challenge grant, meaning the center has to raise matching money dollar for dollar.  

It is now the center’s goal to raise $4,250 by Oct. 31.

Family Bingo fun night

The senior center will be kicking off their fundraising adventure with Family Bingo Fun Night on Wednesday, June 19 from 6:30-8 p.m. The evening will feature Bingo and homemade ice cream, with all proceeds going towards matching the grant. 

Volunteers are needed to make homemade ice cream and help during the evening by collecting Bingo money, handing out prizes and serving ice cream.

Those interested in donating toward the campaign may send a check to the Perkins County Senior Center at PO Box 314, Grant, NE  69140, writing “Venango” on the memo line of the check. 

Immanuel Vision Foundation

It is the mission of Immanuel Vision Foundation to provide financial support to non-profit, charitable 501(c)(3) organizations whose purpose aligns with theirs:

“Meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of seniors; respond to needs in community health; and support the ministry of the Church.”

The Foundation seeks to support organizations that:

• Demonstrate financial stability, strong leadership, and consistent planning,

• Implement innovation and catalytic opportunity,

• Clearly define objectives and strategic plans, and

• Have developed additional, reliable sources of funding for the project requested.