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Page 2 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, AugusT 14, 2026 ~ Letter to the Editor ~ Don’t Leave Everett’s Seniors Behind: Save the ARPA Meal Program Dear Editor, I am writing this letter to plead with Mayor Van Campen, Honorary Chair of the Council on Aging, on behalf of all the Senior Citizens in Everett who receive the ARPA Meal Program lunches. The past six years have been a total blessing to about 400 seniors who have been able to count on at least one good meal per day. It has truly been a ‘godsend’ to several people I know personally. Our Seniors should be one of the city’s “top priorities’ as it has been through their hard work and commitment, that this city has been able to thrive. They are the ones who pay taxes, (many for their entire lives), man the polls, promote the city and have helped to build a wonderful community, therefore, deserve to have this amenity. The ARPA Meal Program, which is due to be discontinued this month, will leave a void for those Seniors who depend on this lifeline for their daily meal. Several of these seniors have lost spouses, are disabled, dealing with mild dementia, or have other issues that make them dependent and grateful upon receiving this meal every day. It seems to me, that with all the programs that are in place in this wonderful city, this should NOT be the one that is cut. We owe much to our seniors, they built this community and they should be the ones to receive at least ‘one’ meal a day, which they rely on. The brochure, which accompanied the meal this week, stated that “funding is expiring, so we (the city) are no longer able to support it”. I have to be honest, I find that very hard to believe, surely there are other avenues to tap into i.e. – asking Encore to help with funding, reach out to existing programs like Bread of Life (which by the way is helping with the children’s lunches over the summer), request funds from the State or Federal Government (as we are a poverty level city), look for Grants, or request the Connolly Center to package lunches as they are already providing them on the premises from 11:30-12. I have to believe that there is money out there, somewhere, which the city can tap into. If we can provide breakfast and lunch for our schoolchildren (which is fantastic), why are we unable to do the same for our elderly population? The Mayor stated during his campaign, “Ultimately, the people of Everett are the ones whose voices should take priority” and contended that Everett City Hall had “lost sight of who it serves.” Please hear this voice, the Elderly, Mature, Senior Citizens of Everett, need a voice too. I am asking, no pleading with Mayor Van Campen, the Honorary Chair for the Council on Aging, to find the funding it needs to enable our Senior to have at least one decent meal per day. I have but one question, if we the people of Everett, don’t take care of our Seniors, who will? Please keep the Seniors a “Priority” and deliver their meals as many cannot get to the Connolly Center, not to mention that there is a very tiny parking area for more (about 400 seniors) to park. Respectfully Submitted, A Concerned Lifelong Everett Resident Wills and Trusts and Asset Protection Presentation T he Saugus-Everett Elks Drug Awareness Committee and Eagle Bank are sponsoring a Free Presentation on Wills, Trusts and Asset Protection. This evet will be held on Thursday, SepAluminum Aluminum Everett Supplies 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Celebrating 66 Years in Business! •Vinyl Siding Decks • • •Carpentry Work •Decks • Replacement Windows Carpentry Work • • • Fully Insured Fully Insured • Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com Free Estimates Fully Licensed • Roong •Free Estimates •Fully Licensed •Roong Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! tember 17, from 12:30–1:30 p.m. at the Connolly Center (90 Chelsea St. in Everett). Eagle Bank will be providing an attorney to discuss many issues: estate taxes, Medicaid, probate, property assignSummer is Here! ments, advantages and disadvantages of wills and living trusts and much more. To attend this free event, you can call the Connolly Center at 617-394-2323. Walk-ins are also welcome.

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