The senior meals program in Nucla is thriving with an average of 50 people coming to both Wednesday and Friday luncheons. While the Volunteers of America had been running the program previously, it was paused during the COVID pandemic. In 2022, it began again with just one meal monthly. With True North Youth Program’s assistance, the program was reestablished.
Then, the board, Nucla-Naturita Senior Citizens, decided to facilitate the luncheons themselves. With the support of grants and donations, the meals have become one of the biggest recurring events in the West End. Sometimes a few from Norwood attend; Others from Paradox also come.
On the board currently are John Nelson (president), Monica Odom (vice president), Terri Jamison (secretary) and Sherry Craig (treasurer), along with Carla Holder, Nanette Hibbert, Nancy Long, Lynn Ertell and Rodney and Janice Allen. They’re working together to produce the weekly luncheons, and they’re grateful for grants that enable them to get items from the FRESH Foundation in Norwood. Additionally, they make trips to a grocery in Montrose or Grand Junction — not special trips, but when a board member is going.
Mostly, the work is done through local volunteerism, though the cook’s position is paid. Hibbert has been cooking but aims to step down, and the board is seeking her replacement.
Doors open earlier on Wednesdays and Fridays at 386 Main St. in Nucla, and usually the seniors gather to socialize at 11 a.m., though the meal is served at noon.
“They enjoy visiting,” said Craig in an interview March 27 during a senior luncheon.
On March 14, the sixth-grade class from the Nucla school attended, which brought the total to 81 that day. Craig confirmed the building’s capacity is 85. She hopes more school classes will attend in the future.
The third Saturday of each month, too, the board is serving a breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. with pancakes, biscuits, gravy, eggs, bacon and sausage. Craig said usually about 25 people attend. The Saturday breakfasts are a fundraiser for the board.
The organization is a 501c3 nonprofit, and the board is still pursuing grants and other donations for next year. They welcome contributions each luncheon, and those cover about one-third of the total costs. They’ve submitted an application to the Food Bank of the Rockies, an organization that could help offset food costs. The board interviewed March 22, and they’re hoping they’re awarded the discounted rate. Craig said it could help with sustainability.
Nobody has to RSVP for the luncheons. All are welcome, even those who aren’t senior citizens. Donations are always appreciated, but not required, like in years past.
“It’s important for people to know that it is available and open and welcome,” Jamison said. “This is all donation-based and whoever can come.”
The board wants the public to know they follow all health and safety requirements. The kitchen has been health-inspected and approved by the state. Moreover, the kitchen help have food handler permits. There’s another class some volunteers are attending April 15 for food handling and management.
They’re keeping track of their data too, recording attendance and maintaining finances — something the board knows is important for grants and funding.
The board is grateful for all of the support, including the young Mormon volunteers who clean up afterward, sweeping, mopping and taking out the trash. They appreciate All-Points Transit, too, for dropping off seniors, so they can attend.
The monthly menus always thank the donors who participated, and in April that is West End Pay it Forward Trust, Citizens State Bank, Region 10, Telluride Foundation and FRESH Foundation.
In the future, the board would like to figure out how to bring back meal delivery for the home-bound. Anyone who’d like to apply to be the new cook may reach out to Craig at 970-322-1000 or Jamison at 970-361-6518.
The seniors center building was established in the 1990s and has only existed for that purpose.
