Hot lunches will soon be back on the menu at Blaine Senior Center after a two-year hiatus. Come Thursday, June 2, any senior citizen – senior center member or not – can choose from a selection of nutritious meals three days per week.
“We’re pressing forward. Things are happening here,” senior center director Gordon MacGregor said. “We’ve definitely seen an uptick in our membership that have come back and our members who drop in daily.”
Anyone 60 years and older can stop by the senior center at 763 G Street for a donation-based lunch every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. To-go, frozen meals will be offered by reservation. Donations are recommended at $5 per meal, or whatever is affordable, but no one will be turned away.
In addition to those over 60 years old, a senior’s spouse, unpaid caregiver, disabled dependent or meal program volunteers can receive meals. People under 60 can receive a meal for $8.50. Meals will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
There isn’t a limit right now to the number of people who can eat their hot meal in the senior center, MacGregor said. They’re planning on pre-Covid-19 numbers, which was 25-30 people per day.
MacGregor said he hopes to eventually expand the number of days for the meal program. The meal program, and the education speaker series, are the last two senior center services to be brought back from the pandemic. Although still in the initial planning stages, MacGregor said he hopes to bring monthly speakers back to the center in June that will cover topics throughout the year such as medical insurance, housing and Medicare and Medicaid.
The menu will be available soon on whatcomcoa.org. For more information on the meal program, contact Meals on Wheels and More director Julie Meyers at jmeyers@whatcomcoa.org or 360/733-4030 ext. 1025.
Planning ahead workshop on Friday, May 13
Blaine Senior Center is also offering more events for the older community. This Friday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the senior center will host a free planning ahead workshop, “What’s Next: Planning Ahead – Making Choices for Your Legacy and Health Care” for any community member looking at healthcare and end-of-life decisions.
Topics discussed include advance directives, palliative care, wills and trusts, powers of attorney and end-of-life choices. Hilary Walker, PeaceHealth’s advance care planning program coordinator, and elder law attorney Phillip George will give 45-minute presentations at the event, MacGregor said.
Vendors at the event will include Whatcom Hospice, Northwest Regional Council, PeaceHealth Advance Care Planning, Safe Harbor Legal Solutions, Eden Hospice of Whatcom County, The Whatcom Dream, VSED Resources Northwest, End of Life Washington, Right at Home, Safe@Home Elder Options, Washington Health Insurance Professionals LLC, Visiting Angels, according to a Whatcom Council on Aging press release.
Business and organization representatives will be available to answer questions.
Other senior center activities
Big Bucks Bingo will return to the senior center Saturday, May 14 for an afternoon of fun games. An $8 lunch is served at noon before the early bird game starts at 12:30 p.m., with two games at $1 each. Bingo will run 1-3 p.m. at $15 for eight games that have three cards per game.
The senior center also offers a slate of regular activities including an ukulele group, crafting circle, bridge, pool hall, pinochle, technology help, strength and stretching classes, Tai Ji, and foot care appointments. For activity times, visit blaineseniorcenter.org.
The senior center will continue following Covid-19 restrictions based on county risk level, MacGregor said. As of now, the center is planning its Fourth of July pancake breakfast.
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