Oregon Community Center Overcomes Funding Cuts
The morning Kari Silcox learned her community center was losing some of its federal funding, panic set in. It was March, and the Sherman County Senior and Community Center manager was stunned when she received notice that part of the funding for her facility for the remaining fiscal year was gone.
She also learned the center could lose all federal support for 2025 and 2026.
“I was worried we wouldn’t be able to stay open, that seniors would be out of affordable meals as well as the much-needed socializing they get here, and I was worried about potential job losses for our employees,” Kari says.
For nearly 8 years, Kari has managed the bustling community hub in Moro, where the center serves as much more than just a meal site. Built in 2002, the facility hosts everything from wedding receptions to memorial services, creating what Kari calls “a sentimental place for so many.”
“Everyone has a memory tied to this building,” she says.
The funding crisis threatened the daily lunch program, which serves 15 to 20 people each day, and the Home Delivered Meals program, which reaches isolated seniors throughout Sherman County. With lunch prices kept deliberately low, federal funding was crucial to operations.
Finding Creative Solutions
Rather than accept defeat, Kari turned to a personal source of inspiration: her mother, Gail Macnab, and Julee Hicks, a friend in Baker City. Together, they learned about a meal sponsorship program that seemed perfectly suited to Sherman County’s tightknit community.
“As soon as I read about it, I knew this would be a perfect solution,” Kari says.
The sponsorship program allows local residents and businesses to sponsor meals at different levels—$100 for a single meal, $400 for a week or $1,200 for a month. Sponsors receive tax-deductible donation receipts and recognition on the daily menu.
“Some people do it in memory of someone, or as advertising for a business or just a family name,” Kari says.
The results exceeded expectations. In just a few months, the meal sponsorship program generated $4,500. With additional fundraisers, including bake sales and raffles, the center raised an extra $1,200, helping bridge the funding gap without forcing price increases or service cuts.
Overwhelming Community Response
The outpouring of support has amazed Kari, who grew up in Sherman County. After nearly 2 decades away, including 2 years in Costa Rica, Kari and her husband, Andy, returned to Sherman County in 2017. Their son, Maxwell, was born a few years later.
“We’ve been blown away by how many generous people we have in our community,” Kari says. “All we had to do was ask for help, and we’ve had people lined up to offer assistance.”
The generosity extends beyond monetary donations. Wheatacres Ranch contributes thousands of dollars’ worth of local beef annually, while community members regularly donate garden produce and other protein sources. Recently, a man named John arrived with 5 pork loins, a box of tomatoes, and green beans—enough to cover an entire meal and several salads.
“He didn’t give me a last name or contact info, as many people donating don’t even want the credit for their donations,” Kari says. “They just want to do a good deed.”
Volunteers like Janet Pinkerton, who single-handedly delivers meals throughout Sherman County every Monday, have become essential to maintaining services. Without Janet’s dedication to the Home Delivered Meals program, Kari says she doesn’t know how service would continue.
More Than Just a Meal Site
The center’s importance extends far beyond nutrition programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when the facility was closed to the public for 11/2 years and only offered takeout meals, the community felt the loss acutely.
“After reopening, we have been busier than ever,” Kari says. “Even more than the delicious food, the seniors missed the socializing aspect of having lunch here with their peers.”
The community center serves all ages, though most visitors are seniors. Children 12 and younger pay $4 for lunch, while adults younger than 60 pay $8. The cost is $5 for seniors age 60 and older.
Operating on a halftime schedule from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, Kari appreciates the flexibility her position provides. The schedule allows her to spend mornings and afternoons with 5-year-old Maxwell, who is in line to become a 6th-generation Oregon wheat farmer like his father and grandfather.
“It also gives me time to help my husband and my dad out on the farm when needed,” Kari says. “There are times when they are short-handed on the harvest field and they need me to drive the bank-out wagon for the day.”
In addition to meal service, the facility houses a Veterans Services Office and a Human Services Department office, plus hosts various community groups, including the American Legion and a weekly pinochle group.
Looking ahead, Kari remains optimistic about the center’s sustainability, particularly with the success of the meal sponsorship program and strong community backing. Head cook Kristi Lesh continues preparing most items from scratch to stretch the budget, always seeking new ways to serve delicious, affordable meals.
“The meal sponsorship program will likely be something we’ll keep in place for the foreseeable future, as it’s a simple way to bring in extra funds,” Kari says.
For other rural community centers facing similar challenges, her advice is straightforward: Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
“Don’t be shy about being transparent,” Kari says. “Share your struggles. It’s incredibly heartwarming how people will step up to help when you need it most. That is the exact reason I live in this lovely, small town. Nobody struggles alone here.”