The Northside Nutrition Center is celebrating 50 years with a commemorative dinner and fundraiser. The event is at 6 p.m. Friday at 506 Hazel Street.
According to Assistant Administrator Linda Sedrick, the center is hoping to raise awareness about the work it does and the needs of seniors.
“We’d like the public to be more aware of the tremendous need that’s out there,” she stated.
Northside Nutrition currently serves an estimated 350-400 individuals over the age of 60 with meals delivered to their home. Unfortunately, due to funding being cut by federal and state authorities, Sedrick informed the center has had to put 10 seniors on the waiting list.
At their highest point, the center was able to serve 500 elderly individuals.
“What we absolutely, positively don’t want to happen is for centers to close due to lack of funding,” she affirmed.
Sedrick relayed stories of the struggles the elderly they serve face. One individual told the nutrition center she divides the meals delivered into three to make them last through the week.
“They’re not big meals,” Sedrick added, “For some of them, it’s the only meal that they have.”
Another senior whose primary caretaker is an over-the-road truck driver was found to have been laying in the same spot on Monday as when they were delivered a meal on Friday.
“These people have worked hard their whole lives,” she said.
Sedrick asserted the service the nutrition center provides helps seniors maintain a degree of independence where otherwise they would be relegated to a nursing home at great expense to the state. She shared opportunities for members of the community to sponsor seniors for a week at the rate of $25.
Sedrick also noted they are looking for more delivery drivers to help distribute meals.
“Any help is appreciated,” she said.
For a ticket price of $25, the anniversary event this Friday includes a steak dinner, entertainment, door prizes, and a silent auction. The deadline to get a ticket is 12:30 p.m. Friday.
“We want to be here for another 50 years,” Sedrick expressed.
Those interested in sponsoring a senior’s meals can contact the nutrition center at 573-686-2075.