Cassville Senior Center seeking donations to replace freezer, walk-in cooler
Members of the Celestia Chapter 81 Order of the Eastern Star presented the Cassville Senior Center with a $100 donation for the walk-in freezer/cooler. Pictured in the photo are, left to right: Ben Fine, worthy patron; Kristina Atwood, Cassville Senior Center administrator; and Adrianna Fine, worthy matron.
May 1, 2019
Charlea Estes-Jones
Each year, the Cassville Senior Center provides over 40,000 meals to area seniors, some at the center and some through Meals on Wheels home delivery. However, recent issues with the center's walk-in freezer and cooler left the center scrambling to come up with $38,000 before the summer months hit.
Kristina Atwood, Cassville Senior Center administrator, said the center has used the same walk-in freezer and cooler since they moved into the current location in 1998. Overtime, it's stopped working as well and won't make it much longer.
Atwood said, "We are trying to raise $19,000." While the overall cost is almost $40,000, the center staff is hoping the community will step in to help purchase the new one.
In an effort to garner support for the project, Atwood sent letters to area businesses, asking them to contribute to the purchase.
She said the response thus far has been positive. Atwood said, "In a little under two weeks, Michael Reihn's office just donated on Friday and we're very thankful for that. We've been receiving donations from our diners that come in, too."
Ideally, Atwood is hoping the center can raise the $19,000 by June 30. She explained, "Our freezer is not going to make it through the summer.
"We've been having problems for awhile since last year. We've been making repairs and limping along. But it's finally to the point where we can't just do repairs."
Each month, the center provides between 700 and 900 meals at the center for area residents between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, but they also deliver around 2,000 meals. They serve the Cassville, Exeter, Jenkins, Wheaton, Ridgeley, Butterfield, Washburn and Seligman areas.
However, the center also offers classes, events and educational opportunities for area seniors, as well.
Atwood said, "We have wellness programs that are exercise classes and clinics. We do arts and crafts, like a painting class, dominos and bingo and have presenters that come in and do nutrition education and general health education.
"We're also doing a new class for caregivers that is a stress-management program."
While the food program is supplemented with funds from SeniorAge, based out of Springfield, building maintenance is paid through local taxes. They also accept donations to keep operations going.
Atwood said an operational freezer and walk in cooler are vital to the center's operation and overall mission. She said, "What we are doing is helping keep our seniors in their homes longer and even a small donation helps us do that. Every little bit helps. We can't serve meals if we don't have a place to store our food. It's definitely a need for the community."
Atwood also encourages the community to learn more about services at the Cassville Senior Center on Friday, May 17, for their Older Americans Month celebration.
The Cassville Senior Center is a 501(c)3 organization and all donations are tax deductible. To make a contribution, contact Atwood at (417) 847-4510 or email kristina.atwood@senioragemo.org. You can also mail a donation to 1111 Fair Street, Cassville, MO 65625.
Charlea Estes-Jones
Each year, the Cassville Senior Center provides over 40,000 meals to area seniors, some at the center and some through Meals on Wheels home delivery. However, recent issues with the center's walk-in freezer and cooler left the center scrambling to come up with $38,000 before the summer months hit.
Kristina Atwood, Cassville Senior Center administrator, said the center has used the same walk-in freezer and cooler since they moved into the current location in 1998. Overtime, it's stopped working as well and won't make it much longer.
Atwood said, "We are trying to raise $19,000." While the overall cost is almost $40,000, the center staff is hoping the community will step in to help purchase the new one.
In an effort to garner support for the project, Atwood sent letters to area businesses, asking them to contribute to the purchase.
She said the response thus far has been positive. Atwood said, "In a little under two weeks, Michael Reihn's office just donated on Friday and we're very thankful for that. We've been receiving donations from our diners that come in, too."
Ideally, Atwood is hoping the center can raise the $19,000 by June 30. She explained, "Our freezer is not going to make it through the summer.
"We've been having problems for awhile since last year. We've been making repairs and limping along. But it's finally to the point where we can't just do repairs."
Each month, the center provides between 700 and 900 meals at the center for area residents between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, but they also deliver around 2,000 meals. They serve the Cassville, Exeter, Jenkins, Wheaton, Ridgeley, Butterfield, Washburn and Seligman areas.
However, the center also offers classes, events and educational opportunities for area seniors, as well.
Atwood said, "We have wellness programs that are exercise classes and clinics. We do arts and crafts, like a painting class, dominos and bingo and have presenters that come in and do nutrition education and general health education.
"We're also doing a new class for caregivers that is a stress-management program."
While the food program is supplemented with funds from SeniorAge, based out of Springfield, building maintenance is paid through local taxes. They also accept donations to keep operations going.
Atwood said an operational freezer and walk in cooler are vital to the center's operation and overall mission. She said, "What we are doing is helping keep our seniors in their homes longer and even a small donation helps us do that. Every little bit helps. We can't serve meals if we don't have a place to store our food. It's definitely a need for the community."
Atwood also encourages the community to learn more about services at the Cassville Senior Center on Friday, May 17, for their Older Americans Month celebration.
The Cassville Senior Center is a 501(c)3 organization and all donations are tax deductible. To make a contribution, contact Atwood at (417) 847-4510 or email kristina.atwood@senioragemo.org. You can also mail a donation to 1111 Fair Street, Cassville, MO 65625.