County staff told commissioners that Everfull, one of five contractors providing in‑home and congregate meals across the three‑county CPAAA service area, has decided to cease operations. Staff said they immediately identified partners to prevent service interruption: Senior Services Inc. will expand its congregate and meals‑on‑wheels operations in the Wichita area and Trio, a national contractor, will provide meals at 12 sites across the three counties.

"We've notified commission and the community, the recipient program recipients, that Everfull has … decided to cease operations," Tim said. "Trio is gonna pick up 12 different sites in the 3‑county CPAAA service area. They will be ready to go January 1. So everybody's going to get a meal in January."

Staff said legal and procurement teams worked quickly to finalize a contract covering in‑home meals and the 12 sites so clients will not lose service. Tim and other staff noted Trio serves millions of meals annually and has the capacity to deliver in the region.

Why it matters: many older residents rely on in‑home and congregate meals for nutrition and social support; an abrupt contractor exit could have disrupted service during the holiday season but staff secured a transition to prevent interruption.

What’s next: county staff (including finance and legal) planned to present a full contract recommendation to the commission at the Dec. 17 meeting; staff asked that Steven present a broader review at the formal meeting and said a stopgap is in place through January.