Madison County Senior Center will stay open ‘at least until January’
On Halloween Friday, which was once slated for the last day, guests at the Senior Center eat their weekly catfish meal in a higher turnout than usual. The special on the side was bright orange, sweet pumpkin fluff. Matt Morey, Democrat News
After an anonymous donation and some help from others, the Madison County Senior Center posted that they will be able to stay open at least until the rest of the year, and will add an additional day of service on Tuesdays sometime in November.
The senior center, which serves hundreds each month, was slated to close after Friday, Oct. 31, posted a note on Facebook:
“Madison County Senior Center would like to announce that we will not be closing this Friday. We have met with concerned citizens that have agreed to fund the Senior Center in the short term and more information will be available shortly. Thank you to all involved!!”
Senior Center Administrator Crystal Sherrick said an anonymous donor gave them enough to stay open at least until the rest of the year. While they want to remain anonymous, she said they are seeking out people to commit to the business as well, to make the generosity more sustainable until the state resolves it.
She said she’s had lots more business in the past few weeks, with people who don’t often come in, and other donations. So much so that in mid-November she will even extend the days of the week for the center to four days, instead of three. She said all of the meals on wheels will be sustained, as well.
Aside from the one anonymous donation, Sherrick has received money from memorial donations, FSCB at $1,500, Follis Funeral Home, The Madison County Pullers Association, a Methodist Church Fundraiser at $2,200, and some individuals.
“I’m happy to pay off some of the bills,” Sherrick said, which had accumulated over the months.
Sherrick said the State of Missouri has been in contact with Aging Matters for some more solutions to fund senior centers. Mo. Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Missouri with funds for Health and Senior Services, which is primarily for WIC, but Sherrick said she hopes it may trickle down to the senior centers.
“Hopefully, we’ll keep our fingers crossed, and do the best with what donations we already have. “And by the end of this year we’ll have a little more money coming through.”
The Madison County Senior Center is open from Wednesday to Friday each week (soon Tuesday) from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. where they serve nutritionist-selected meals for $8, and $6 for 60+ at 10:30 a.m.
