TARCOG CONGREGATE MEAL PROGRAM

The congregate program has expanded to thirty-four centers in the five-county area.  Each center serves as a community focal point for Aging Services. Centers are open Monday through Friday.  The purpose of the congregate center program is to promote better health among the senior segment of the population through improved nutrition and provide the opportunity to gather socially with other seniors for education, assistance, information, fun and fellowship.

(ADD MAP OF TARCOG REGION SHOWING CENTER LOCATIONS)

        http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/4352/

            1. Collinsville Senior Center
                103 Truman Lane (Housing Authority Community Building)
                Collinsville, AL  35961
                (256) 524-2550
            2. Crossville Senior Center
                70 Coker Drive (Housing Authority Community Building)
                Crossville, AL  35962
                (256) 528-7562
            3. Fort Payne Senior Club
                2000 Watkins Street (Housing Authority Community Building)
                Fort Payne, AL  35967
                (256) 856-3613
            4. Geraldine Senior Center
                Public Library Building
                150 Old Mill Road
                Geraldine, AL  35974
                (256) 659-4068
            5. Ider Senior Center
                1852 Dogwood Drive
                Ider, AL  35981
                (256) 632-3367
            6. Rainsville Senior Center
                Tom Bevill Center
                113 McCurdy Avenue
                Rainsville, AL  35986
                (256) 638-4343 

DeKalb County Council on Aging
600 Tyler Avenue SE
Fort Payne, AL  35967
(256) 845-8590
Director:  June Brewer (june@dekalbcountyal.us)
Nutrition Coordinator:  Brenda Pettry (brendap@dekalbcountyal.us)

    1. Bridgeport Senior Center
        411 Alabama Avenue
        Bridgeport, AL 35750
        (256) 495-3383
    2. Bryant Senior Center
        1315 County Road 262
        Bryant, AL  35958
        (256) 597-2119
    3. Paint Rock Senior Center
        334 Church Street HWY 72 East
        Paint Rock, AL  35764
        (256) 776-9874
    4. Pisgah Senior Center
        25 Metcalf Street (Housing Authority community building)
        Pisgah, AL  35765
        (256) 451-3033
    5. Scottsboro Fun Lunch Bunch Center
        918 S. Broad Street
        Scottsboro, AL  35768
        (256) 574-6623
    6. Stevenson Senior Center
        280 City Park Road
        Stevenson, AL  35772
        (256) 437-3015

Jackson County Council on Aging
Rita Williams Drive
Scottsboro, AL  35768
(256) 574-6733
Director:  Rita Williams coarrw@mail1.scottsboro.org)
Nutrition Coordinator:  Theresa Dulaney (dulaney@hotmail.com)

1. Ardmore Senior Center
   26465 First Street
   Ardmore, AL 35739
   (256) 423-2099

2. Athens Senior Center
   912 West Pryor Street
   Athens, AL 35611
   (256) 233-6412

3. Elkmont Senior Center
   Historical Railroad Deport
   25460 Railroad Street
   Elkmont, AL 35620
   (256) 732-4777

4. Tanner Nutrition Center
   11476 Hightower Road (Housing Authority community building)
   Tanner, AL 35671
   (256) 230-3414

5. Pleasant Point Community Center
   12490 Pleasant Point Road
   Athens, AL 35611
   (256) 729-6581
 

Limestone County Council on Aging
912 West Pryor Street
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 233-6412
Director: Helen Carter (hscartercoa@pclnet.net)
Nutrition Coordinator: Ellen Stanford

TARCOG is proud to have opened the first Nutrition Center in the State of Alabama in 1972.
                                                       
            Congregate Program Eligibility
Anyone can participate in the program if they are aged 60 and over.  Spouses of persons over the age of 60 can also participate, regardless of age.  There is NO income or resource test, but emphasis is placed on serving those in the greatest economic and social need.

When you visit a center, it is necessary for staff to ask you for some information.  This information is confidential and is used only to help TARCOG in continuing to address the needs of seniors in the region and to assist you in accessing other services.

For most centers, transportation is offered to seniors needing a ride.  Please contact the center located nearest to you about specific transportation services.

To reserve a meal, please call your center located nearest you in advance.  Walk-ins are encouraged to participate but may only be served after those who have pre-registered, if a meal is available.   TARCOG understands, on occasion, you may be unable to come to the center where you have made a meal reservation.  If such an emergency arises, we ask that you call your specific center manager as soon as possible or help get another senior to come in your place.  We have to order meals each Wednesday for the next week, so it is important to show up to the center when expected.  Carrying leftover food from the centers is prohibited. 

Congregate Contributions

Meal contributions are encouraged and expected, although no one is denied meals due to failure or inability to pay.  The minimum suggested contribution is $1.00 per meal, and suggestions are based on the following sliding scale and clients' income:

Monthly Income

 Suggested Contribution
$575 or Less

$1.00
$576-$700

$1.50
$701-$800

$2.00
$801-$900

$2.50
$901-$1000

$3.00
Over $1000

$4.00

 TARCOG asks that you donate what you can afford to help with cost of providing the meals.  Contributions are an essential part of the overall program.

The Meals

· Meals meet 1/3 of the minimum daily requirements for older adults.
· Meals prepared with little to no added salt/sodium.
· Portions are controlled.
· Fruits are in light syrup.
· Juices are 100 percent juice.
· 2% or 1% milk provided.
· Picnic and cookout meals are a part of the program.
· Limited breakfast and liquid meals are available.
· Currently, there are no special diet meals provided, due to budget constraints. But, most diabetics, low fat, low cholesterol and sodium restricted dieters can consume the meals.
· Valley Management Services is the current meal contractor, through a statewide contract with the Alabama Department of Senior Services.
· Center sizes range from location to location, but the minimum number of meals provided to a specific center is 25.

 

Activities


Persons aged 60 and older enjoy a variety of activities and programs at the senior center.  Part of the fun of coming to a center is to meet and greet fellow neighbors and friends.  Fun and creative programming is the goal of each center.  Routine health screenings are provided such as blood pressure checks.  Educational programs are provided on topics of interest such as health, nutrition, informational, resources, etc.  Speakers come to do programs from time to time, but mainly activities are fun and games.  Examples of such activities include but are not limited to games, quilting, arts & crafts, computer, exercise, singings, entertainment, bingo, horseshoes, billiards, etc.

Most centers establish center councils to give participants the opportunity to have input into activities and decisions that effect the center.

Volunteers

  • There is a lot to do at a congregate center. Every center needs volunteer help. Volunteers play a key role in center operations. Without volunteer help, a center could not provide a full range of services. Examples of volunteer jobs:
    · Food service
    · Activities/entertainment
    · Educational programs
    · Counting contributions
    · Arts & Crafts
    · Devotionals
    · Outreach visitors
    · Publicity
    · Thank you notes and correspondence.

OUR VOLUNTEERS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

For further information, please contact:

Linda McWilliams, Community Services Coordinator
TARCOG Area Agency on Aging
5075 Research Drive NW
Huntsville, AL 35805
(256) 830-0818 or (256) 716-2456
lmcwilliams@adss.state.al.us
      

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