Seniors pack Skagit Co. meeting after program cuts misinformation

Online misinformation cleared up for Skagit County seniors

It was a packed house filled with seniors at the Skagit County Commissioners building after many read online that programs giving them access to food and a gathering place were being cut.

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. - Seniors packed the Skagit County commissioners building on Tuesday. Many were frustrated and upset, after they read online that the Meals on Wheels programs and senior centers were being cut.

The crowd was so big that some people listened to the meeting from the seating area in the lobby.

"We understand there is important information posted online that we are closing our senior centers and ending the meals on wheels program. Fortunately, none of these rumors are true," the board of commissioners said as they addressed the concerns at the top of Tuesday’s meeting.

WA Meals on Wheels program cut?

The backstory:

So where did the confusion come from? Many told FOX 13 Seattle they first heard about it on social media.

"It started, and it just went like wildfire. It was just misinformation from the beginning," said County Commissioner Peter Browning.

FOX 13 Seattle talked with him before the meeting started.

"Meals on Wheels is federally funded, but the federal funding has been stagnant for 30 years, more than 30 years, so what used to be almost fully compensated by the federal government through the Senior Citizen Acts," Browning said.

He adds, they’re now paying close to $2 million a year.

"That’s a lot for a small county that doesn’t have a huge budget, so we’re going to have to make some changes looking at the way we do it. Might be a not-for-profit transition. There’s a whole lot of options out there," Browning said.

Skagit County senior citizen woes

By the numbers:

He adds, Skagit County has the largest number of people over the age of 85 in the state.

"Skagit County cares about our seniors," Browning said.

While much of the crowd attended Tuesday’s meeting to voice their concerns about what they saw online. The meeting’s scheduled purpose was to recognize and proclaim the month of September as National Senior Center Month.

"I love the senior center. It means a lot," one person said during the public comment period.

"I can’t imagine my life without it," another said.

"The senior center provides hope for some people, entertainment for some people and a cooling center for others," another shared.

The other side:

While some of these folks walked into the meeting upset and frustrated, many left relieved, if not still with some questions.

"The majority of these people don’t have triple-digit income or even double. This is such a worthwhile program, not only for the food, but emotionally, psychologically, I mean some day we will all be there in a blink of an eye," one person said during public comment.

All parties involved agree that the centers and the programs are important. "We just have to find a way to do it in an affordable manner," Browning said.

MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE

Travel nurse recovering after attack at Kent Station, fundraiser started for recovery

Here are the 'luckiest retailers' in WA to buy winning lottery tickets

Brawl after Sounders Leagues Cup win prompts security concerns

MoPOP's Nirvana exhibit closing after 14 years in Seattle

Bellevue Applebee's employee said 'I'm sorry' before brutally attacking manager: docs

To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.

Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.