Many seniors are unaware of many free or low-cost services available to them here in Washoe County. Here are some to check out:
Transportation: RTC has free rides for seniors 60+ on the Sparks/Spanish Springs curb-to-curb FlexRIDE vans until June
30, 2024. See https://rtcwashoe.com/public-transportation/flexride-on-demand-service/ or call 775- 335-0035 to schedule rides. (FlexRIDE for seniors age 60+ in North Valleys and Northwest Reno routes costs $1.50 for a day pass. Put funds on your RTC mobile Token Transit app or buy tickets in advance at bus terminals, 9th Street Senior Center, Savemart, Winco, or Smiths.
RTC offers $60 per month of free taxi rides inside Washoe County to residents 60+, veterans or ACCESS clients of any age. Apply in-person at RTC’s 4th Street Reno terminal. Those with Lyft or Uber accounts, can get $60 per month of free Lyft or Uber rides instead of taxis. The $60 does not roll over, so you start with a new $60 each month. Contact 775-348-0477 https://rtcwashoe.com/public-transportation/washoe-se- nior-ride-taxi-bucks-program/ and https://rtcwashoe.com/public-transportation/rtc-washoe-lyft-and-uber-rides-voucher- programs/
Neighbor Network of Northern Nevada (N4) offers Reno/ Sparks elders 60+ a monthly $80 of free Lyft rides inside Washoe County, and another $80 worth for $40. Folks with disabili- ties of any age pay $40 for $80 of Lyft monthly. 775-453-4774 https://neighbornv.org/
Access to Health Care has free transportation for folks with Medicare to medical appointments, getting prescriptions and groceries. 877-385-2345 www.accesstohealthcare.org. Check with your own medical plan to see if they offer this benefit. Call 2-1-1 for more statewide services.
UNR’s Sanford Center for Aging offers free transportation for Washoe residents 60+ who live within 15 miles of UNR main campus and need transportation for medical appointments, groceries or errands. Contact them 14 days ahead at 775-784- 7557 or sanfordmobility@unr.edu. Sanford also offers free wellness programs and medication management for seniors.
Meals/Food: Washoe County provides Home-delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels) to isolated age 60+ homebound elders who cannot participate at senior meal sites. There is no income requirement. Also, hot meals or salads are served in a group setting weekdays at 11:15/11:30a at eleven sites around the county. Contact https://www.washoecounty.gov/seniorsrv/ index.php 775-328-2575. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada supports free food pantries at sites in Washoe County (some with age/residence requirements). Mobile Harvest and Pro- duce on Wheels vans and trucks deliver fresh food to sched- uled sites every month with no income restrictions, but ID and registration is required. Commodity food boxes for low-income seniors are delivered once a month at various sites. Food Bank offers free healthy nutrition classes and help signing up for SNAP (Food Stamps). Contact 775-331-3663 https://fbnn.org/ gethelp/seniors/ for sites and schedules. Washoe County Senior Services: The senior center at 1155
E. 9th Street, Reno is a hub of free resources, including the Senior Law Project/Northern Nevada Legal Aid, social work-
er assistance and resource referrals including Homemaker (housekeeping) and Representative Payee (when clients cannot manage their own finances), veterans’ information, Medicare counselling, classes, live music, sports and games, a county library, health checks, and more. Visit the front desk at 9th Street or contact 775-328-2575 https://www.washoecounty.gov/seniorsrv/index.php, email sr_info@washoecounty.gov. Call 3-1-1 for help with all Washoe County services.
