Barry County senior centers still serving meals
Above, administrator Kristina Atwood stands in front of a line of drivers waiting for the Cilantro Chicken & Rice meals served Friday at the Cassville Senior Center.
Beginning in April, Atwood says the center will serve hot meals every other Wednesday, in addition to every Friday.
Beginning in April, Atwood says the center will serve hot meals every other Wednesday, in addition to every Friday.
Above, SeniorAge supervisor, Craig Pollard, serves carry-out hot meals to Bob Mizer, of Cassville, at the Cassville Senior Center.
Shown above, left to right, are Central Crossing volunteers, Beth Pavelka, Nate, Krug and Cathy Lank, with administrator, Terri Johnson (center).
Above, Rowan Rawlings (left) and Brenda Lowe (right) log the recipients of and prepare the packaging of carry-out hot meals at Cassville Senior Center.
March 17, 2021
Sheila Harris
During pre-COVID days, Shell Knob’s Central Crossing Senior Center - an affiliate of SeniorAge Area Agency on Aging - was a hub for social activity in the community. Not only were senior citizens able to enjoy the center’s scheduled offerings, but residents at large participated in annual fundraising events to benefit the Central Crossing center. That has changed. The center is currently open only to serve meals to drive-through residents and for monthly foot health clinics.
Central Crossing serves frozen meals Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. - noon. They serve hot meals one day a week, on rotating days.
Administrator Terri Johnson says, with warmer weather approaching, the center is looking at ways to encourage social connection with outdoor activities - perhaps quarterly breakfast, cookouts and garage sales.
This year, in lieu of on-location fundraisers, Central Crossing will participate in “Give Ozarks Day,” a virtual fundraising event which will run from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 24. The event will be hosted on the Cause Momentum website. A link for the event will be available at the Central Crossing Senior Center website at www. shellknobseniorsinc.org, as well as at causemomentum.org.
Gina McIlrath, Chief Publicity Officer for Central Crossings Senior Center, said the virtual fundraiser is a Community Foundation of the Ozarks event.
“It’s purpose is to help the senior center cover operating expenses and recover from the effects of being closed due to COVID,” she said.
“COVID had a devastating effect on us emotionally and physically, as well as financially,” she said. “Seniors enjoy being together with like-minded people, and, without that fellowship, it’s been terrible. People’s nutrition has even suffered.”
For more information about meal schedules, spring activities, and a possible future re-opening date, for Central Crossing Senior Center, visit: www. shellknobseniorsinc.org.
The Cassville Senior Center, too, has faced challenges. Administrator Kristina Atwood says she’s looking at ways to increase social opportunities for area residents with spring in the air.
“We’re looking at the idea of serving lunches with outdoor, socially-distanced seating provided,” she said.
“And, beginning in April, we’re going to try serving hot meals on an additional day, every other week,” she added.
The Cassville Senior Center currently serves frozen meals to senior citizens Monday - Thursday, from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. A hot meal is served on Fridays, an event eagerly anticipated, judging by the number of vehicles waiting in line to receive them.
“Beginning in April,” Atwood said, “we will serve hot meals every other Wednesday, in addition to every Friday. If it’s well-received, and we’re able to manage it successfully, in the future we’ll consider serving hot meals two days every week. Every other Wednesday in April will be sort of a trial run.”
The Cassville Senior Center also offers monthly foot health clinics by Grace’s Health Service.
To correct what had been published previously in The Barry County Advertiser, both the Cassville and Central Crossing Senior Centers offer help with tax preparation, by appointment. However, there are no more appointments available for this tax season.
Sheila Harris
During pre-COVID days, Shell Knob’s Central Crossing Senior Center - an affiliate of SeniorAge Area Agency on Aging - was a hub for social activity in the community. Not only were senior citizens able to enjoy the center’s scheduled offerings, but residents at large participated in annual fundraising events to benefit the Central Crossing center. That has changed. The center is currently open only to serve meals to drive-through residents and for monthly foot health clinics.
Central Crossing serves frozen meals Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. - noon. They serve hot meals one day a week, on rotating days.
Administrator Terri Johnson says, with warmer weather approaching, the center is looking at ways to encourage social connection with outdoor activities - perhaps quarterly breakfast, cookouts and garage sales.
This year, in lieu of on-location fundraisers, Central Crossing will participate in “Give Ozarks Day,” a virtual fundraising event which will run from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 24. The event will be hosted on the Cause Momentum website. A link for the event will be available at the Central Crossing Senior Center website at www. shellknobseniorsinc.org, as well as at causemomentum.org.
Gina McIlrath, Chief Publicity Officer for Central Crossings Senior Center, said the virtual fundraiser is a Community Foundation of the Ozarks event.
“It’s purpose is to help the senior center cover operating expenses and recover from the effects of being closed due to COVID,” she said.
“COVID had a devastating effect on us emotionally and physically, as well as financially,” she said. “Seniors enjoy being together with like-minded people, and, without that fellowship, it’s been terrible. People’s nutrition has even suffered.”
For more information about meal schedules, spring activities, and a possible future re-opening date, for Central Crossing Senior Center, visit: www. shellknobseniorsinc.org.
The Cassville Senior Center, too, has faced challenges. Administrator Kristina Atwood says she’s looking at ways to increase social opportunities for area residents with spring in the air.
“We’re looking at the idea of serving lunches with outdoor, socially-distanced seating provided,” she said.
“And, beginning in April, we’re going to try serving hot meals on an additional day, every other week,” she added.
The Cassville Senior Center currently serves frozen meals to senior citizens Monday - Thursday, from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. A hot meal is served on Fridays, an event eagerly anticipated, judging by the number of vehicles waiting in line to receive them.
“Beginning in April,” Atwood said, “we will serve hot meals every other Wednesday, in addition to every Friday. If it’s well-received, and we’re able to manage it successfully, in the future we’ll consider serving hot meals two days every week. Every other Wednesday in April will be sort of a trial run.”
The Cassville Senior Center also offers monthly foot health clinics by Grace’s Health Service.
To correct what had been published previously in The Barry County Advertiser, both the Cassville and Central Crossing Senior Centers offer help with tax preparation, by appointment. However, there are no more appointments available for this tax season.
