County to stop senior meal service in Denison

After struggling to have at least 10 participants for lunch at the senior center in Denison for several months, the Jackson County Commissioners have agreed that the county will no longer rent the building and provide meals for seniors at that location. 

Thursday, Dec. 31, is the last day that the county will transport senior meals to Denison, it was decided.

At the commissioners’ meeting on Monday, Amanda Spalding, senior services director, reported that in recent weeks, no more than five or six Denison residents had requested a meal each day at the Denison center, located at 203 Central Ave. 

“One day there was only one person eating there,” Spalding said.

In November, the commissioners and Spalding discussed the low lunch attendance at the center. At that time, it was reported that just two to six residents were eating at the site daily. The Northeast Kansas Area Agency of Aging recommends that a meal site have at least 10 participants per meal to remain open, it was reported.

During that meeting in November, the commissioners agreed to give senior residents of Denison until the end of the year to improve attendance numbers at the center before making a final decision to close it. 

“It’s a great program,” Spalding said. “I hate that we have to do this. It’s sad that this doesn’t work out.”

The county currently rents the center facility at Denison each month during meal hours, which averages to about $260 to $265 a month in county expense, it was reported. The building is owned by the Denison Community Association.

An employee with county senior services packages and transports the meals from the Holton senior center to the Denison center Monday through Friday after a headcount is determined. By closing the Denison meal site, that employee’s weekly hours will be reduced by six, it was reported.

Between the cost of gasoline and other costs to transport the meals and the cost of renting the building, the commissioners said more participation at Denison was needed to warrant the expenses.

“The Denison seniors are welcome to eat in Holton,” said Commissioner Janet Zwonitzer. 

Employees at the Jackson County Senior Center, located at 312 Pennsylvania Ave., in Holton prepare about 100 meals per day, Monday through Friday, and residents from all areas of the county are invited to eat there.

Holton and Denison are the only two towns in Jackson County that have had senior centers that serve residents Monday through Friday with county funds. 

The Denison Senior Center opened in 1979 with a dedication ceremony that featured then Gov. John Carlin. The center was established with a grant from CETA (Comprehensive Employment Training and Administration) program, which was a state program. 

After the grant ended in 1983, the county commissioners agreed to fund the senior meal program, it was reported.

The meals at the Jackson County Senior Center are free to anyone who is 60 or older, but a $1 to $3 donation per meal is suggested. Reservations must also be made by calling (785) 364-3571. The meals at the center are part of the Title III-C Nutrition program, and a dietitian approves the menu. 

Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. at the Holton center each day, but people show up earlier to participate in a variety of social activities, such as card games, puzzles or pool. An exercise class is also offered a few days a week and people also spend time painting and making crafts and jewelry. 

The Jackson County Senior Center will be closed on New Year’s Day.