An unanticipated announcement from the Rural Office of Community Services (ROCS) made last Tuesday, June 24, 2025 has left many Wessington Springs residents concerned about the future of transit to worship services and home meal delivery.
The announcement stated that, effective immediately, the Springs Area Bus will suspend its rides to church and delivery of Meals on Wheels — unless local monthly support to the tune of $1500 ($525 for Sunday church transportation and $975 to continue five-day a week meal delivery) is raised from the community.
ROCS CEO, Angela Waldner, explained that the agency has been a vital part of the community for years, but now, rising operational costs and limited funding are forcing difficult decisions.
“Budgets weren’t overly monitored at ROCS before now. Pair that with federal and state budgets prioritizing rail and air transportation — not moving people — and that leaves a funding gap that continues to widen,” said Waldner.
She points to an example of the $2 donation per rider that is paid by the local ministerial association.
“The true cost of transporting each person to church is $11. ROCS Dining Services delivers an average of 325 homedelivered meals each month to seniors, who often live alone and lack reliable transportation. I understand that the need for these services is clear, but the ability to sustain them is becoming more uncertain,” she shared. “Although ROCS receives federal and state funding, these resources fall short of covering full operational costs. Without increased community investment, difficult decisions are on the horizon.”
After reading the ROCS announcement published in the June 25, 2025 edition of the True Dakotan, a local reader donated funds for church transit to continue through July (see letter to the editor on PAGE SEVEN.) Other local provision is currently underway to cover Meals on Wheels for July, but the future of these services now rely on community support.
“ROCS is on board to help communities fundraise. We have helped with advertising and raffles but we don’t have the manpower to pull off events in all communities we serve — we have transit in 28 counties. That’s where local help comes in,” Waldner explained.
“The De Smet community puts on an annual dinner theater and silent auction, which is nice because the larger amounts of funds raised extends the services for months.”
While the dollar amounts announced last week are the community’s focus now— $525 a month to keep church transit and $975 per month to retain the Meals on Wheels service — Waldner said that could change depending on federal funding.
“The Big Beautiful Bill could change other services too,” she said. “If it makes a big impact on Medicaid, everything could change. We don’t really know for now and this year, communication has slowed from the federal level down when we ask ‘what’s happening, what is being affected.’” Waldner also added that this is not a challenge unique to ROCS, but to all service providers across the state that provide transit, nutrition, and other community services.
“Whether it’s People’s Transit or River Cities Transit, or any of the service providers across the state that do what we do, we are all sitting in the same boat,” she added.
Waldner stressed that all dollars raised by a community is earmarked for that community and all donations made for transit will help keep the church and Meals on Wheels services viable.
“The service will happen if the money is there,” Waldner said.
She shared suggestions on how to avoid permanent loss of these services in Wessington Springs: Make a Monetary Donation: Every dollar helps bridge the gap. Donations can be directed toward transit, senior meals, or another program of choice. Donations can be mailed to ROCS Attn: Finance, PO Box 547, Wagner, SD 57348, or made online at www.rocsinc. org/impact.
Sponsor a Senior: $1,240 supports five hot meals a week for a full year—along with the transit needed to deliver them.
Support a Local Fundraiser: Help organize or contribute to community events that raise funds for essential services.
Advertising Opportunities with ROCS Transit: With a fleet of 55 vehicles serving communities across the region, ROCS offers a unique opportunity for local businesses to gain visibility while supporting a vital community service. Advertising space is now available on ROCS vehicles. To learn more, call 605-481-0842.
To make a donation, purchase a bus pass, or inquire about advertising, contact your local transit office or call ROCS at 605481-0019 (Andrea Transit Director). To sponsor a senior please reach out to ROCS at 605-469-5363 (Kaylene Dining Services Director).