Booze could give senior centers budget boost

A new bill that would give senior centers the right to sell alcohol could help solve a funding crisis.

Government funds for the centers are drying up.   The Senior Center of West Seattle has an $86,000 budget deficit, and administrators there said experience has shown that if they could sell alcohol, they could make up the difference.

While everyone has seen bingo at a senior center, more exiting fundraisers feature grandmas, jello shots, and drag queens.

One of the most surreal bingo nights in Seattle is led by “Sylvia O'Stayformore” and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, who say such events can raise tens of thousands of dollars a year.

“Alcohol is a great liberator of some donations,” said O’Stayformore.

Current law limits how many events senior centers can host with alcohol to one per month.

In West Seattle, where they face almost 15 percent in cuts, the senior center believes serving drinks may draw more people to their cafe and events like bingo nights.

   The director of the center said aging baby boomers expect to be able to buy drinks when they socialize.

  The bill considered by lawmakers would only give the liquor licenses to privately run, non-profit senior centers and would cost $700 a year.