Everfull to End Senior Meal Services in 10 Kansas Counties After Contract Termination
June 13, 2025
Everfull announced it will cease meal services for seniors in 10 south-central Kansas counties after the South-Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging terminated its contract with the nonprofit organization.
The termination, effective June 30, will end approximately 18,000 monthly meals provided to seniors at 22 locations across Chautauqua, Cowley, Elk, Greenwood, Harper, Kingman, McPherson, Sumner, Reno and Rice counties. The affected programs include congregate "Friendship Meals" and home-delivered "Meals on Wheels" services funded through the federal Older Americans Act.
Everfull has operated as a subcontractor for SCKAAA since 1974, providing federally mandated nutrition services for seniors. After three months of attempting to resolve what the organization described as "complex financial issues," SCKAAA made the decision June 3 to begin contract termination proceedings.
"We are surprised and saddened at this decision by SCKAAA," said Charles Johnston, Everfull's executive director. "In their verbal contract termination, SCKAAA stated that they are planning to provide meal services on July 1, 2025, which leads us to believe they have identified funding to make that possible, but we have no information."
The contract termination affects only services in the 10 counties overseen by SCKAAA. Everfull's meal programs in Butler, Harvey and Sedgwick counties, which are funded through the Central Plains Area Agency on Aging, will continue operating without interruption.
Johnston said Everfull remains open to re-establishing the partnership if SCKAAA reverses its decision. The organization has recommended three options for communities wanting to maintain meal services: contacting SCKAAA to request the board reverse its decision, donating to Everfull to address budget shortfalls, or working directly with the nonprofit to establish local programs outside state and federal funding mechanisms.
"We are disappointed but determined to move forward with anyone willing to collaborate, acknowledge financial realities, and support the provision of the highest quality services," said Lucy Heller, president of Everfull's board of directors.
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