The Okmulgee Senior Nutrition Center, operated by the non-profit organization Community Action Resource and Development, Inc. (CARD), has been steadily expanding its services to provide meals and support to more seniors and disabled individuals in the local community.
In a recent interview, Amber Grider, site manager in Okmulgee, provided details on the center’s operations and growth.
The senior nutrition program had new management take over in July 2024. Grider, who worked previously for the service, returned to lead the Okmulgee Center.
According to Grider, the center currently serves approximately people who come in to eat at the main location, located at 1021 N. Seminole in Okmulgee. In addition, about 60 citizens inside the city have meals delivered. The Okmulgee site also prepares meals for the senior nutrition centers in Morris, Beggs and Henryetta.
C.A.R.D is issuing a plea to the community as they seek to expand their services. Grider stated that anyone wishing to receive meals can now call in to add their name to the list. The previous management had limited the number of people that could be served. That is no longer the case, and she encourages seniors to sign up, or if you know of someone that could benefit from the meal service, to call CARD.
The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with meal service beginning at 11:30 a.m. In addition to the hot meals served on-site, the center also provides emergency meal deliveries to homebound seniors during inclement weather.
“We want to make sure everyone has access to a nutritious meal, even if they can’t make it to the center,” Gryder said “During the recent cold snap and snowstorms, we delivered emergency meals to our homebound clients to ensure they didn’t go without.”
Meals are available to anyone over the age of 60, as well as those under 60 with disabilities. Volunteers under 60 are also welcome to help out at the facility. In addition to meal service, the center offers activities like bingo, pool, and games to provide social opportunities for the seniors.
“A lot of our guests come early and stay after they eat just to visit and socialize,” Amber explained. “It’s important to us that this is not just a meal, but a chance for them to connect with others.”
The center employs a staff of four, including Beverly Palmer, Macy Mattingly, Philip Molina, and Ida Roberts from AARP, Ferris Moore, who is part of the National Indian Council on Aging. Among the volunteers is Amber’s husband, George.
There is no income eligibility with funding from state and federal services through OKDHS Aging Services Division. However, the program operates on a voluntary donation system of a suggested $3 donation per meal.
“CARD Senior Citizens Nutrition Program suggested donation is $3 per meal. A donation box is provided at each nutrition sites for your contribution. It is your privilege to contribute any amount desired. No one shall be denied meals for those, who are unable to donate. 100% of your donation support the cost of congregate meal & home delivered meal services.
Senior Nutrition Services receive a portion of the funding from Federal & State funds. Unfortunately, the funding does not meet the all of the financial demand. This is due to the extreme increase in food cost, meal container cost, and the increase in clients needing the services.” CARD Sr. Nutrition Program Administration Office, P.O. Box 947 Claremore, OK 74018 Moving forward, the Senior Nutrition Center hopes to continue expanding its reach and services to support even more seniors and disabled individuals in the community. Those interested in learning more or getting involved can contact the center at 918-756-8570.
— About CARD
Community Action Resource and Development, Inc. (CARD) is a non-profit corporation whose primary purpose is to administer anti-poverty programs in northeastern Oklahoma.
CARD is governed by a Board of Directors representing private, public, and low-income sectors of our communities. Funding is provided through various state, federal and private sources and is designated by the State of Oklahoma as a Community Action Agency as outlined in the Community Service Block Grant Act. CARD has provided social services since 1966.
Community Action began in 1964 with the enactment of the Economic Opportunity Act. This act was based on the premise that the federal government did not have all of the answers to social issues of local communities. Local citizens were more aware of their own poverty-related problems and knew how to solve them on the local level. Community Action agencies were initiated to join the local citizens together as an organization to deal not only with the effects of poverty in their communities, but more importantly with the causes of poverty.
CARD’s mission is to bring together resources to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities, and empower low-income people to attain the skills, education, and opportunities to become self-sufficient.
