Soldotna Senior Center Receives $1M in Grants for Meals and Services

The funding boost will allow the center to expand meal programs and transportation for local seniors.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Soldotna Area Senior Citizens, Inc. has received an additional $40,136.29 per year for its Nutrition, Transportation, and Support Services (NTS) grant, pushing its three-year total past the $1 million mark. The funding will support the center's meal programs, transportation services, and other support services for seniors in the Soldotna, Funny River, and Ridgeway areas.

Why it matters

The additional funding comes at a critical time as inflation drives up costs for food, fuel, and operations, while demand for senior services continues to grow in the Soldotna area. The milestone marks a significant achievement for the nonprofit organization as it works to meet the needs of the region's aging population.

The details

The annual award from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Senior and Disabilities Services, now totals $333,637.29. Over three years, the grant will provide $1,000,911.87 to support seniors in Soldotna, Funny River, and Ridgeway. The increase builds on a previously announced three-year, $880,503 NTS grant and further strengthens the nonprofit's ability to deliver essential services to residents age 60 and older.

  • The additional $40,136.29 per year grant was announced on March 4, 2026.
  • The three-year grant period will run from 2026 to 2029.

The players

Soldotna Area Senior Citizens, Inc.

A nonprofit organization that provides nutrition, transportation, and support services to seniors in the Soldotna, Funny River, and Ridgeway areas.

Lisa Riley

The Executive Director of Soldotna Area Senior Citizens, Inc.

Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Senior and Disabilities Services

The state agency that awarded the $1 million grant to the Soldotna Area Senior Citizens, Inc.

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What they’re saying

“This is money coming into our community. It's employing people, it's feeding people. We have transportation for our seniors. It's everything. We are growing. We're thriving. Good things are happening.”

— Lisa Riley, Executive Director, Soldotna Area Senior Citizens, Inc. (radiokenai.com)

“Our senior population is growing so fast. So this additional funding was a good surprise for us, and it really was needed.”

— Lisa Riley, Executive Director, Soldotna Area Senior Citizens, Inc. (radiokenai.com)

What’s next

The Soldotna Area Senior Citizens, Inc. plans to use the additional grant funding to expand its meal programs, transportation services, and other support services for local seniors.

The takeaway

The $1 million in grant funding for the Soldotna Area Senior Citizens, Inc. is a significant milestone that will allow the nonprofit to better meet the growing needs of the region's aging population. The funding comes at a critical time as inflation drives up costs, and the organization's services are in high demand.