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MT. STERLING IL -- As we reported to you first last week, the Meals Plus for seniors program faces some major changes.  A lack of increase in state and federal funding paired with rising costs have put the program $200,000 in debt. As a result, 10 meal sites and three kitchens are closing.  One of those sites is in Mt. Sterling.

"I was very shocked. I knew things weren't financially well and that's with every program now. I'm surprised they didn't have something worked out instead of telling us it was immediately going to change," meal site user Betty Hatch said.

Betty and her husband have been coming to the Mt. Sterling meal site for several years. But it will close on April 15. The new Mt. Sterling meal site will be open five days a week, but reservations will be required. Betty says that means she won't be using the service.

"We won't use the new one where we have to call ahead because of health problems and things, you don't know day to day whether you'll be able to attend," Hatch said.

Betty says cooking meals at home won't be a big problem for her. But others are concerned.

"A lot of people are going to be left out and not have good, hot nutritious meals that they get by coming here," meal volunteer and user Jolene Kitzky.

Those seniors not only need the food, they're also emotionally dependent on the people they see at the meal site.

"It's very important to me because I live alone and have for a long time. I get to come up here and visit with the people and I really like that. So I'll really miss this program the way it is now," meal volunteer and user Rosemary Orr said.

Home-bound seniors will still get a meal delivered to them. But some will now get frozen food that's only delivered once a week or once every other week, instead of every day. So they too will miss out on some much needed social contact. For now, seniors are just trying to enjoy the company before the changes go into effect next month.

The Mt. Sterling meal site is getting petition signatures to show support for the program in an effort to save it before the doors close.  If you'd like to help by making a donation, or by becoming a volunteer, call 217-224-5031.