The Pike Market Senior Center provided far more meals and services to seniors in 2011 than expected.
The senior services program released a report last month showing that demand for its services expanded well beyond the projected increase of 10 percent.
In the last three months of 2011, Pike Market Senior Center served 31 percent more meals than the same period of 2010. The program served 38,000 free meals to seniors that year.
Demands for social services increased 41 percent. Two staff members and one volunteer handled 1,367 cases in which clients needed housing, medical care or filing for veteran and government benefits.
Center Director Jeannie Falls attributed the growth to the discontinuation of programs like Disability Lifeline, which once provided funding for housing, utilities and hygiene items.
The center is preparing for more demand in 2012, expecting growth to reach percentages in the double-digits.
The Pike Market Senior Center is a human services community located in Pike Place Market.