Earle still searching for a way to serve seniors

Earle still searching for a way to serve seniors

Community looking for solution to feed those in need

news@theeveningtimes.com

After being told by the Area Council on Aging that there is no money to serve meals to senior citizens in Earle, the city is looking for volunteers to take on the project and ways to boost activities for its senior citizens.

Mayor Sherman Smith said he met with a group of local senior citizens to discuss starting a meals program and other activities they would like to see offered at the community center.

'I invited some seniors who currently participate at the Wynne site to get some ideas from them about what kinds of activities that will be useful to them' Smith said.

The meeting was a follow up to one he had with representatives from St.

Bernard's Community Action Program about his desire to have them serve meals to seniors in Earle at the community center rather than shuttle them to the community center in Wynne.

Meals and activities for seniors are funded by the Area Council on Aging but are administered y St.

Bernard's.

Smith said St. Bernard's did offer to provide the city with volunteers and technical assistance to start their own program, but made it clear that they did not have the money in their budget to provide meals in Earle.

They also said that there are meal programs run by volunteers in Bono and Brookland that Earle might like to look at.

'They said they didn't have any resources,' Smith said. 'The only thing they had for us was information and technical assistance.

But as far as money and meals or anything of that nature, they are maxxed out.'

Smith said any site they open in Earle would have to be run by volunteers.

Meals used to be served at the community center at one time but were discontinued several years ago.

Meals are served in Wynne three days a week from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The center also has dominos, bingo, exercise classes, movie days, and a dance night on Thursdays.

Smith said he believes they could do some of the same activities in Earle.

Currently, about 12 seniors ride the shuttle to Wynne for meals and to participate in activities. He believes that more seniors would come to the community center if they offered meals.

'We seem to think it would pick up if we had it here because some people don't go because of the ride,' Smith said. 'Once you get there you have to stay all day. They can't go home when they get tired.

But it may work out if it became local.'

Smith said the idea is to serve 60 meals three days a week at the community center. The Area Council on Aging charges $3.50 per meal. The program would need about $210 a month to cover its expenses.

One area church has already offered to assist with transportation. Smith, who is pastor of Total Deliverance Cathedral Church, said he is willing to step up and cover the cost of the meals for a couple of months until the volunteer group can raise money through fundraisers and outside support to get on their feet. Total Deliverance Cathedral Church already operates a soup kitchen that serves meals twice a week.

'I can probably commit for some to help out,' Smith said. 'I can't commit permanently. But I can carry it for a while until they can raise some money. I already do a soup kitchen on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I could add 20 meals to that for a period of time to get started.

The community center has a kitchen and a microwave for meal preparation.

Smith said they will be holding meetings for those interested in volunteering.

'We will put flyers out and invite all of the pastors and organizations in the city and senior citizens to come out and see where we are and what the interest is,' Smith said. 'I feel confident it can work if we can get the right volunteers and with the right donations.

It's a process. But I think it is worth the effort. Earle usually comes together on things.'

By Mark Randall