During times of great uncertainty, I’m often reminded of the book “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Spencer Johnson. In that book we’re reminded that change is inevitable. We can’t control change, but we can control how we react to it. Over the past few months many have asked if/how VISTE might be impacted by proposed cutbacks in federal funding. The quick response is Yes, it is likely that VISTE services will be negatively affected. However, the extent and full impact of those changes remain unclear. The question itself highlights the special nature of this organization and the community that embraces it.
Since VISTE’s inception in 1983, volunteers and staff have consistently approached this mission with the philosophy of neighbors helping neighbors. Because of you and others like you that volunteer and have provided local support to seniors-in-need for more than 42 years, VISTE is now providing essential services to more than 4,900 seniors from 70-108 years of age.
We are blessed to live in a community that has allowed us to help an increasing number of seniors at no cost to them and with limited reliance on federal or state funding.
So how might VISTE clients be impacted? While our direct financial exposure is limited, the larger ecosystem within which we operate is much more vulnerable. For example, much of the food for our Supplemental Groceries program is donated by USDA and Feeding Tampa Bay. Both programs have already experienced funding cuts which may result in reductions in food available for VISTE clients. Fortunately, Publix continues to donate a steady supply of food and non-food items. Yet their donations alone are not sufficient to meet the needs of the more than 1,170 clients currently receiving over 10,000 boxes of supplemental groceries each year.
Since most nonprofit senior service providers rely more heavily on federal funding, any reduction in their support will likely result in an increase in seniors turning to VISTE for help. That would be on top of the average of 75 new client applications per month received in 2024 that resulted in a 9.5% increase in total clients served over the prior year (see Impact Report article below for additional details on how your support helps local seniors in need). It is also possible that recent fluctuations in the stock market and overall economy will have a dampening effect on our local donor support.
VISTE has remained viable over the years due to strong, compassionate support from a wide variety of individuals, corporations, churches, civic organizations, and many more. Local seniors rely on VISTE services now more than ever, and we literally couldn’t continue this work without YOU!
As we celebrate National Volunteer Month in April, we are celebrating YOU! Working together, we are Volunteers in Service to the Elderly and, with your ongoing support, will continue to be for years to come.
THANK YOU!!!
Steve Bissonnette, President