By Chris Barber
Contributing Writer

The Kennett Area Senior Center runs on a shoestring budget, but for many in the Kennett area it is a lifeline.

The senior center is one of 40 local non-profits that benefit from annual contributions by the Mushroom Festival.

Last year the center received $1,900 as its part of the total $77,000 the festival gave out. Over the years, more than $1 million has been given to local agencies from the festival.

Mushroom Festival Coordinator Gale Ferranto said that while the activities of the event excite her, she gets the greatest satisfaction from distributing the proceeds to local non-profits each year.

“This year’s festival theme is ‘Spawning Future Growth,’ which encapsulates our dedication to nurturing not just the delicious and healthy fungi that we grow but also supporting the future of our community,” the Mushroom Festival website said.

The Senior Center, which sits at mid-block of South Walnut Street in the borough, operates on an annual budget of less than $400,000 according to executive director Stephanie D’Amico.

Its major funding comes from the Chester County Department of Aging which supports all the senior centers in the county. The department sends Kennett $84,000 annually. Occasionally in times of emergency like the COVID-19 pandemic, it sends a modest, and unexpected supplement, D’Amico said.

Continuing on such a limited income, D’Amico and her staff are constantly working on projects to bring in more support. Among other things they have an annual golf tournament, donations from the local municipalities and the United Way, “indoor” yard sales, fees for facility rental and grants from individuals.

She gave an example of how important the Mushroom Festival grants are. She said the center had been struggling with an aging and obsolete website. They needed $1,900 to upgrade it.

“I didn’t have $1,900,” she said.

She added she put in a request to the festival and received the funds needed.

In the year preceding, she received funding for 30 chairs from the festival.

“You know, chairs are expensive,” she said. “We appreciate them beyond belief. When you are worried all the time about keeping services in place, to have support like the Mushroom Festival is great.”

She added that the Mushroom Festival funding application process for support is “user-friendly,” and she appreciates that.

The Kennett Area Senior Center was founded in 1971 by late Dr. Leonard Kanofsky with the support of his fellow Rotary Club members.

Kanofsky recognized that there was a segment of the local population whose needs were not being met as they were aging. Some older residents were experiencing, among other things, declining health, less income, less participation in local leadership, the loss of driving privileges, an increased probability of distance from or loss of family, and limited affordability for programs and education, among others.

Carol Wendel was the original director of the senior center, and the members met in the cellar of Kennett Square Presbyterian Church several times a week.

In 1986 the senior center purchased the building on South Walnut Street, which has two large activity rooms, several smaller gathering spaces, office space and an upstairs storage area.

Its programs these days are free, which is important considering that more than one-quarter of the members reported being low income.

The center is open five days a week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sometimes there are weekend or evening events.

The programs include, but are not limited to, Silver Sneakers exercise, weight loss, mental fitness, afternoon card playing, photography class, ancestral history, dancing, free produce, Medicare applications and tax preparation, informational lectures, holiday celebrations and individual attention. Lunch is provided every day for a small fee, and is free for those who cannot afford it.

ChescoConnect affordable bus system is available for seniors who do not have access to their own cars or drivers’ licenses.

“We provide a unique community resource in which people can gather. We do that through programs, and the [atmosphere] is welcoming and personal,” D’Amico said.