Foundation awards $43,000 in grants

The Board of Directors of the Amherst Senior Citizens Foundation has awarded $43,026 to various agencies in 2006 in order to improve the quality of life for senior citizens in the Town of Amherst.

Board President David J. Dengler expressed the foundation's appreciation for the support of the hundreds of individuals and businesses who have contributed to the organization in the past and added that the expenditures have been used, not only for programs that function out of the Center for Senior Services, but also to benefit home-bound, frail and low-income seniors who live in the community and are unable to come to the Center.

The Foundation contributed funds to Amherst Meals on Wheels and Amherst Senior Transportation Service.

Amherst Meals on Wheels, which is not a part of the county program, received money to update its software and subsidize the cost of meals for those who cannot afford the full cost of the meals they receive.

ASTS received funds that will enable it to continue to purchase the vans needed to provide the medical, shopping and miscellaneous transportation services so important to the senior community.

Other Foundation contributions included handicapped-accessible doors at the Senior Center, an electronic piano for the lounge, a subsidy to cover costs of the annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon, funding for a monthly Caregivers Newsletter and a refrigerator for Meals on Wheels.

Anyone interested in making a tax-deductible contribution to the Foundation can send a check to the Amherst Senior Citizens Foundation at 370 Audubon Parkway, Amherst, NY 14228 or call 636-3050, ext. 125.