Concerns Grow Over Future of Worship Rides, Meal Deliveries in Wessington Springs
Nearly every seat was filled at the Wessington Springs Senior Citizens Center on July 3, as residents gathered to hear from ROCS representatives after the June 24 announcement that church rides and Meals on Wheels would end without $1,500 in monthly support.
That amount includes $525 to fund Sunday transportation to worship services and $975 to continue five-day-a-week meal delivery. The June 25 and July 2 editions of the True Dakotan reported that the announcement sparked swift community response, including donations to sustain church rides through July and temporary coverage of meals through August. Rural Office of Community Services (ROCS) CEO Angela Waldner stated clearly: “If the money is there, the wheels will keep turning.”
Over the past week, the local transit office has received donations, expanding both the church transit service and Meals on Wheels deliveries through August.
Read Q&A highlights from the July 3, 2025 community meeting in this print and e-edition on PAGE FOUR
Q: Where do donated funds go? Are they used locally?
Stacey Strickler, ROCS Transit Coordinator: Any donations made in Wessington Springs stay in Wessington Springs. They’re used only to cover the daily operating costs here—not at other ROCS transit sites. That includes fares and donations. We believe in keeping it local.
Q: How is ROCS funded overall, and why isn’t it enough?
Andrea Irwin, ROCS Transit Director: ROCSreceivesasetamount of funding from the Federal Transit Administration and South Dakota Department of Transportation. But that’s never been enough to cover full costs. We’re required to seek a “local match,” money raised from cities, counties, fundraising, or donations. Rising costs, fewer local government contributions, and limited past fundraising have widened the funding gap.
Q: How does Wessington Springs compare to other communities in ridership and need?
Strickler: Wessington Springs is one of our most active smaller communities. It has a high demand for both in-town and out-of-town rides.
In 2023, we provided over 7,000 rides (including school transportation). In 2024, that number dropped to 5,029, and so far in 2025 we’ve logged 3,704 rides.
Many rides are for medical appointments, including trips to Sioux Falls and Omaha.
Q: Are other ROCS communities facing the same challenges?
Irwin: Yes. Across all 18 ROCS transit locations, services are being cut — whether it’s fewer hours, fewer drivers, or reductions in special services. Other towns, like De Smet, successfully hold fundraisers to help cover the gap.
Q: What has Wessington Springs done in the past for local support?
Strickler and Irwin: Past support from the city has been through a variety of local fundraisers. In the past, the Weskota Foundation held Roses Just Because
that helped support transit, but that effort paused this year. That fundraiser and any future ones can make a big impact. A recent private donation has covered Meals on Wheels through August and church rides through July. Local Senior Citizens Center cook Marla Ness confirmed that proceeds from the rodeo fundraiser over the Fourth of July weekend will benefit ROCS meal services in Wessington Springs.
Q: Where should people send donations? And how can they make sure it goes to Springs?
Irwin: Donations can be mailed to the ROCS office in Wagner. To ensure the money goes to Wessington Springs, donors should clearly indicate that in a note. Another option is to donate directly through local drivers like Joanne Grohs or Jim Deines, who can submit the funds on behalf of the community.
Q: Can the community get regular updates on where funding stands?
Irwin: Yes. We will start providing that same update to local contacts so the community knows where things stand including what’s been raised and what’s still needed.
Q: How much do meals and rides actually cost?
Irwin: A single meal costs around $12 to prepare, but the state reimburses only about $4 to $5 per meal. That’s why local support is critical. Similarly, church rides cost $11 per person, while the current suggested donation is only $2.
Q: What’s the bottom line?
Irwin: We’re doing everything we can to avoid service cuts. We know these programs matter to seniors, to veterans, to the whole community. But we can’t do it alone. It’s going to take a village.
Q: How can the community help?
To support ROCS transportation locally, make donations through the local office and/or drivers or call the Wessington Springs office at 605-539-1945. To support the nutrition site, take checks to the senior citizens center. With donations to the main office in Wagner, include a note designating “Wessington Springs Transit,” “Wessington Springs Meal Delivery” or Wessington Springs Nutrition Site.”
Vinyl wrap advertising on ROCS Transit vehicles is also available and funds go toward continuing services in the ROCS coverage area. Call 605-878-0766 for more information.