After federal funding scare, Connections AAA turns to local fundraising

In the first of what could become an annual fundraising event for Connections Area Agency on Aging, it’s a race to finish pizza, puzzles and pints.

On Thursday, June 5, A&G Restaurant & Lounge will be the spot for Connections’ fundraiser “Making Connections.” Teams of four will race to finish a large single-topping pizza, 12 beverages and a 200-piece puzzle. Top teams will receive prizes, alongside other opportunities for door prizes and a 50/50 raffle.

Teams can sign up online or through the link on the Connections Facebook page. Each team of four registers for $100. More information can be found my calling Nikki Corderman at (800) 432-9209 ext. 8710.

Those 12 drinks are also available with non-alcoholic options, meaning familes are welcome. Director of Community Engagement Aubrey Kruger-Kutchara said a goal for the fundraiser was to reach as many people as possible.

“We think this will be a fun, engaging event that can be open to anybody in the Creston region,” Kruger-Kutchara said.

The event is the first fundraiser of its kind for Connections, and it comes at a time of uncertainty for the organization. Connections receives the majority of its funding through state and federal levels. They rely on this funding in order to serve their community and maintain programs which promote healthy living.

Recent uncertainty for these programs’ continued funding has put a strain on Connections. With the threat of further programming cuts to those in and outside of Connections, access to programs is shrinking while the population of those in need could increase.

“We’re really afraid that if the president’s skinny budget goes through the way that it does then we’ll have an even greater need,” Kruger-Kutchara said. “People are going to lose their SNAP, going to lose their Medicaid. We’re supposed to be a safety net so people don’t have to use all their resources. We might be catching a lot more people that had a lot more services previously.”

Federal funding cuts have already struck Connections’s ability to keep their programs at full capacity. Their Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, where older Iowans can receive $50 in vouchers to use at local farmers markets, went from 1,900 sets of vouchers in 2024 to only 750 in 2025.

Due to SFMNP being set at over max capacity, previous voucher recipients had to be entered into a lottery system and randomly selected to continue receiving their vouchers. Connections has also stopped accepting new applications and have had to deny previous recipients.

Kruger-Kutchara said with an increase of members of an older generation, referred as a “silver tsunami,” the need for programs from Connections becomes stronger. At a time when Connections struggles to maintain the same level of programs only to have their funding cut further, it’s difficult.

“Our funding hasn’t raised in the past 15 years,” Kruger-Kutchara said.

Many seniors who choose to remain at home rather than live in a nursing home still need assistance in order to maintain the lifestyle they choose. For some, family is not available for care.

“There’s a lot of people who don’t have families or don’t have people around,” Community Engagement Regional Coordinator Nikki Corderman said. “They could potentially go without [support]. We don’t want to see that happen.”

In previous fundraisers, those funds have gone towards programs such as Connections’ meal delivery service. As a way to make sure older Iowans receive a nutritional meal once a day, Connections delivers meals directly to homebound seniors. Funds from the pizza, puzzles and pints fundraiser will continue to fund the vital program and more.

“The moneys will help us be able to provide all the services we provide,“ Corderman said. ”We may have to be directing some more specifically."