Senior Center feeling pinch
Staff writer
Marion Senior Center’s cash reserves are dwindling.
Money from several years worth of memorial funds recently had to be used to replace two air conditioning and heating systems.
Treasurer Norma Kline said the replacements cost $14,000.
The center has two other heating and air conditioning units. Like the two that were replaced, they are more than 40 years old.
Kline isn’t aware of any other maintenance needs, but the center’s reserves are low.
Getting a bigger crowd for weekday lunch would help — not just financially, but also in creating a scenario where seniors get out of their homes and enjoy the companionship of being around others, she said.
Lunch crowds dwindled after COVID-19, she said, and the center has served more to-go and delivered meals.
Usually 20 to 25 people now show up to eat at the center. Thirty to 40 meals are delivered or picked up.
“It’s helpful to have more people dining in,” Kline said. “We’d like to see more people come to the senior center. It’s a balanced meal at noon.”
For she and her husband, lunch from the senior center is their larger meal for the day,
Lunches cost $4 for seniors or $7 for people younger than 60.
More volunteers to help with kitchen and meal delivery would help, Kline said.
People also can donate to the center. Its address is 309 S. 3rd St., Marion KS 66861.
The center can be rented out on weekends for $75 a day.