LEWISTON – SeniorsPlus in Lewiston is looking to raise funds as the organization will be building a new Education and Nutrition Center.

The organization already has half of the necessary funds, currently totaling $3.4 million of the needed $5.5 million.

About $1.5 million of the money SeniorsPlus received comes from federal sources. Maine Connectivity Authority gave the organization a $900,000 grant and funding has come from other corporate and private donors.

The organization will continue to raise funds while the building is being constructed.

The building will house the organization’s Meal on Wheels program, as well as education center offering some of the latest technology for older adults to access.

“We want to raise enough so it pays for the entire building so that it’s debt-free so all future income goes to the services we offer,” said Betsy Sawyer-Manter, chief executive officer of SeniorsPlus.

The expansion comes as the United States Census recently identified Maine as the oldest state in the country, with 20% of the population over the age of 65.

The building will also feature new resources for older adults to access, including ‘privacy pods’ to make private calls.

It will also feature a new social dining experience for seniors to take part in. The idea behind this is to help older adults who are suffering with social isolation.

Sawyer-Manter says she expects to break ground on the new building next spring, as early as March or April 2025. She expects the building to be operational starting July 2026.