Senior centers offer new lunch curbside pickup program

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- In a world where social distancing is the new normal, it can add an obstacle to senior citizens getting the food they need. That’s where the new curbside lunch pickup program comes in.

It’s offered by the senior centers through Community Action in the Barren River Area Development District. Director of aging and independent living Michelle Hines said she’s thrilled to offer the help.

“Seniors are very much high in need of these hot meals and it just feels tremendous that we’re able to help our community,” Hines said.

The initiative started Monday. It gives seniors ages 60 or older the option to contact their county senior center days prior to picking up to order. An opportunity that Community Action of Southern Kentucky interim executive director Don Bulter said he’s thankful for.

“This gives us an opportunity to continue serving those who need the lunch and need the meal,” Butler said.

Butler said it’s initiatives like this that further shows the region coming together as a collective unit.

“It’s always rewarding to see firsthand how kind people can be to each other, and when the chips are down so to speak, people step up and, do their very best to help one another. It speaks a lot about the people who live here,” Butler said.

Hines said while a worldwide pandemic isn’t a good thing in of itself, it gives rise to initiatives like this one, where helping a fellow neighbor is encouraged.

“The light is that we’ve been able to serve more seniors. That’s what I’ve been wanting to do for a long time. It’s taken a pandemic to be able to do this, but it’s a great thing. It’s the answer to my prayers,” Hines said.

If you’d like to volunteer to help with these meals, visit this website for a list of senior centers.