Edmonton Senior Center offers free transportation, meals and activities
EDMONTON, Ky. (WNKY) — A free ride could be all that stands between some older adults and a morning spent sharing a meal, playing cards or visiting with friends.
Leaders with the Barren River Area Development District are working to spread the word about free transportation and other services available at the Edmonton Senior Center.
The center is open from 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday for people age 60 and older. Visitors can receive a free meal and take part in crafts, games, cards and pool.
Staff members can also pick participants up before the center opens and take them home afterward.
“It’s not technically a new service. It’s a service that we’re really trying to expand upon because we know that there are seniors out there that are homebound and they might be able to get out, but they just need a way to get to the center,” said Hollie Smith, BRADD’s assistant director of aging. “And we want to make sure they know that, that it’s here for them.”
About 10 to 15 people regularly visit the Edmonton location, but Smith said the center has room to serve more.
“We have some really great meals,” Smith said. “We have a caterer that brings it here every morning, and then they dish it out to everybody. They can all congregate, eat together and do their activities for the day.”
BRADD began directly managing senior centers across its 10-county region in July 2025. Smith said the transition has required some adjustment, but the district has received positive feedback during its first year.
For Edgar Martin, the Edmonton center has been part of his life since the late 1980s.
The former building contractor drew the floor plans for the current facility and has helped with repairs over the years. At 99, he still visits regularly for pool, cards and conversation.
“Well, just meeting people,” Martin said. “I enjoy people, and I like to see people laugh. I always had a story to tell them or something, and we had a lot of fun.”
Martin said those who have never visited the center may not realize what it offers.
“You come to the center and you enjoy the people,” he said. “I play pool every day. I mean, we’re all family. Win or lose, just have a big game. That’s what we do, and you enjoy it. I look forward to coming.”
He also encouraged older adults not to spend all their time alone at home.
“There’s a world of people out there where they’d really enjoy the center if they would come,” Martin said. “All they have to do is just come. Nobody dresses up. They come casually and enjoy themselves. When you just sit at home for a while, it’s bad for you. You need to get out, meet people and enjoy yourself.”
The center is also looking for volunteers. People younger than 60 can serve meals, help clean up, provide transportation, lead activities or share a hobby with participants.
“If you have a hobby you like to share with other people, we would love to have you come in and do some of those hobbies here and share it with the community,” Smith said. “You can also help serve our meals, with cleaning up, with even picking people up and bringing them to the center.”
BRADD operates 13 senior centers across the 10 counties it serves. Locations, contact information and other details are available on the agency’s senior centers webpage.
To arrange transportation to the Edmonton Senior Center, call center manager Debbie Holley at 270-414-0718. More information about aging services and volunteer opportunities is available through BRADD’s Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living.
The expanded quotations are drawn from the full Smith and Martin interview transcripts. BRADD’s official site lists 13 senior centers across its 10-county region and provides information about congregate meals and aging services.
