Dec 20, 2012 3 min read

McMURRAY – Peters Township Council Monday discussed raising the rent paid by the nonprofit Meals on Wheels program, which for several years has operated from the former social area on the second floor of the Peters Township Volunteer Fire Department.

The organization now pays $48,000 a year in rent, which includes utilities of $6,000 annually, or $4,000 a month. The organization, according to director and board President Susan Ruether Hanawalt, receives no government funding.

Now that the current five-year lease is expiring Dec. 31, council dicussed whether to raise the rate to $54,000 annually, plus $6,000 in utilities. That jump would have increased the monthly rental, including utilities, to $5,000 a month.

After some debate, council agreed to extend the lease at the current rate of $4,000 a month for two years, and to negotiate a rental rate in the third year.

“I’m not keen on increasing the cost to a nonprofit that provides services to the community,” said Councilwoman Monica Merrell. Later, she said, “They can’t move in a week and a half.”

The agency extensively renovated the area in which the group operates, and also made some roof repairs.

Michael Silvestri, township manager, said rental fees go toward building maintenance, but did not specify exact costs. The township took over operation of the building from the fire department several years ago.

Hanawalt has been involved in the Meals On Wheels organization for 25 years and has served as director and president of the board for most of the quarter century she’s served in a volunteer capacity. There are about 200 volunteers and just three people, all cooks, are paid.

She worries how the agency would come up with an additional $1,000 a month, when and if a new lease would be negotiated.

About half of the agency’s funding comes from those receiving the daily meals. If needed, a frozen meal is provided for those who need meal assistance during the weekend. Those recipients pay $18 a week. If five meals are delivered during a week, the cost is $15.

Hanawalt said the group has a generous benefactor, CentiMark Roofing, that also funded the extensive renovations, including a walk-in refrigerator. Community donations also help to balance the budget.

She was pleased council opted to hold the rental rate steady for at least the next two years. After two years, Hanawalt said she is concerned how the agency will raise funds to pay the rent.

“We have wonderful community support, but I can’t ask for another $1,000 a month, and if the price of food goes up, we don’t want to raise our prices to those who receive the meals,” she said.

Hanawalt also wondered what maintenance the township has performed on the building. Meals On Wheels, she said, pays to have its area cleaned twice a week and the only maintenance Hanawalt can remember that was performed by the township was to fix a broken door.

“I think the public might be surprised, horrified, we’re paying $4,000 a month,” Hanawalt said.