A volunteer with Hancock County Senior Services assists a client into a vehicle. All vans in the Hancock Area Rural Transit fleet are equipped to transport wheelchairs.
Submitted photo
Editor’s note: The Daily Reporter is partnering with the Hancock County Community Foundation to highlight local nonprofit organizations in the community, what they offer and how they could enhance their services through additional funding from Match Day.
Featured Match Day participant: Hancock County Senior Services
Executive director: Suzanne Derengowski
Mission: HCSS is a nonprofit service organization advocating for and addressing the life challenges of the Hancock County senior population and providing public transportation.
Community offerings: In 2021, HCSS served about 900 unique clients with more than 16,000 units of service. With the wide range of HCSS services, clients got rides to work or the doctor; were assisted with housekeeping; filed their taxes at no cost; and were assisted with perennial flower beds, just to highlight a few. Most of the clients are 60 and over, however HCSS services residents with disabilities under 60 and transportation is available to all Hancock County residents. In 2020, about 60% of clients were at 185% or less of federal poverty guidelines. Many are on a fixed income or are working less than full time. Many are isolated from family or have nobody to help them navigate a difficult time in their lives. The agency’s staff, drivers, dispatchers, and volunteers are a lifeline to those who need help staying home and those who do not have reliable transportation readily available.
Match Day funding plans: The grant dollars would most likely be used for office equipment, but it could also be used to offset some marketing expenses.
