BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Martin County Senior Citizens Center (MCSCC) is set to expand its meal delivery program with the addition of two new vehicles thanks to a grant the Martin County Fiscal Court is pursuing. Magistrates approved Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty’s request Thursday for authorization to apply for the grant with assistance from the Big Sandy Area Development District.
“We know there is an adult hunger problem in the county,” Lafferty remarked. “The senior citizens group is working hard to rectify that problem. We’re just as tickled as we can be, on behalf of the court, to have attained the funding.”
The county approved advertising a request for proposals for a “new small SUV” in the Aug. 21 edition of the newspaper, with sealed proposals due by Sept. 19.
In addition to the vehicle grant, the fiscal court presented MCSCC Director Jennifer Crum with a quarterly payment as part of the county’s $50,000 annual allocation to the center.
MCSCC currently delivers approximately 90 nutritionally balanced meals daily to homebound seniors throughout the county. The center also serves as a dining venue, where about 15 seniors gather for lunch each day. An additional 45 meals are provided via curbside pickup.
Crum mentioned that 15 frozen meals go to the farthest corners of the county. However, she noted that the center receives a limited supply of these meals.
Beyond meal services, MCSCS offers a range of activities that include exercise programs, nutrition education and occasional workshops by the Big Sandy Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living. Social activities such as live music, card games and other events are also a staple. Each spring, seniors from the center participate in the Big Sandy Senior Games in Prestonsburg.
“We just try to do a little activity to keep their minds going,” Crum explained.
Last year, the center’s team of five employees served over 30,000 meals, though Crum believes they could reach even more seniors with additional funding.
“We’re currently serving only 24% of our senior population,” she pointed out, urging the public to encourage seniors aged 60 and above to enroll in the home meal delivery program. “I only have to see them one time a year. They don’t have to be poor or disabled; it’s for anybody. …The more we have signed up, the more we’ll get in our allocations.”
Crum disclosed that the center’s FY 2025 allocation stands at $104,000, leaving a $58,000 shortfall. To bridge this gap, the center plans to organize fundraisers and seek donations.
MCSCC, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, relies on tax-deductible donations to fund its services. Last month, Crum announced a $10,600 grant from the Kentucky Colonels Good Works Program, earmarked for the purchase of a new vehicle.
The senior center, located at 123 Middle Fork Road in Inez, serves lunch from 11 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday, with curbside pickup available from 10 a.m. to noon. While seniors aged 60 and older can enjoy a meal at no cost or for an optional $2 donation, those under 60 must pay $3.
This week’s menu includes a variety of dishes: grilled chicken salad with Italian dressing on Wednesday, meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes on Thursday, and fish sandwiches on Friday, all accompanied by rolls and sides like green beans, peas, coleslaw and fresh fruit.
For more information about the program, contact Crum at 606-298-3459.