We Care Inc. Celebrates its 41st Anniversary
As 2016 draws to a close, the news media will be reviewing the memorable events, worldwide, of the past year. One event that won’t make many headlines is that We Care, Inc. of Morton is forty-one years old. Many of the founding members of We Care have passed on but the company is strong and is needed as much as ever.
The fiscal year for We Care, Inc. is from July 1 to June 30th. Today we are half way through the current fiscal year and the amount of service provided is at the same level as last year but with fewer funds available to the programs. Funding cuts and/or slow pay by agencies that utilize the We Care, Inc. services has provided new challenges. Consolidation of transportation services that cover over a million miles each year, the generous community support for the food pantry and volunteers to deliver meals-on-wheels, help enable the programs to continue without requiring waiting lists for our clients needing program services.
The most frequent comment We Care, Inc. received from clients is “We don’t know what we would do without you.” It doesn’t matter if it is a senior that needs transportation to the doctor, or an individual who receives home delivered meals through the Meals-On-Wheels program or a family that received food from the pantry; they all say the same thing.
Below is a summary review of the programs services during the last fiscal year.
TRANSPORTATION – (Program began 1976) General public transportation, wheelchair accessible for persons with disabilities, seniors and persons in need in our area. Morton Transportation is provided on a priority basis with medical appointments receiving top priority, followed by employment, grocery shopping, personal business appointments, local shopping and visits to hospitals or nursing homes.
Service area: Morton, rural Tazewell County & Woodford County
Total number of rides 88,680 – Number assisted 932 individuals — 07/01/15–06/30/16
Morton—36,923 – Rural Tazewell County—35,804 – Woodford County—15,953
MEALS-ON-WHEELS – (Program began 1975) A home delivered meal program for older persons, persons with disabilities and persons recovering from an illness. Special diets are available. Optional sack lunches, as well as the noon delivered hot meal, are delivered Monday-Friday by volunteers in Morton and by employees in rural Tazewell County.
Service area: Morton, rural Tazewell County
Total meals delivered 11,443 – Number assisted 114 individuals — 07/01/15–06/30/16
FOOD PANTRY (Program began 1983) – A food distribution program by appointment for persons in need, focusing on seniors and families with children. Information and referrals are provided to help recipients locate other agencies, which may be able to provide additional services.
Service area: Morton & rural Tazewell County communities without pantries
Total meals provided 48,956 – Number assisted 321 individuals — 07/01/15–06/30/16
Information referrals provided 950 — 07/01/15–06/30/16
The management and staff at We Care, Inc. are committed to providing the same excellent community service through our programs in 2017 as we have during the past 41 years.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017
Mike Hutchinson
Executive Director
We Care, Inc.