NORTH VERNON — Free lunches are back at the Jennings County Senior Resource Center.
All senior citizens age 60 and older are eligible for a free lunch every Monday through Thursday at the center, located at 515 Buckeye St. in downtown North Vernon. Lunch is served beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Ironically, it was the cost of the free lunch program that closed the program for June and July.
“People don’t understand that we have to pay part of the cost for the food from Gleaners (Food Bank),” said Wade Eaglin, the senior center’s board president.
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“Because we get food from Gleaners Food and Midwest Food Bank, we cannot by law charge anything at all for the lunches, but we do have to pay some of the cost of the food and all the cost of the paper products and so on,” he added.
Jennings County Senior Resource Center simply didn’t have the money to cover the costs in June and July, Eaglin said.
The food served in the free lunch program is home-cooked by volunteers and Joyce Sweet under the watchful eye of head cook Sue Collins.
“Anything that comes out of Sue Collins’ kitchen is good, very good. All of our cooks are good. Whether it’s fried chicken or coney dogs that day, you can count on it being good,” Eaglin said.
Homemade coney dogs, cole slaw, packaged chips and an entire pint of Skinney Cow ice cream were on the menu Thursday.
“The food is always good here, but I really come here for the fellowship. Its just nice to have someone to talk to,” Melinda Spicer said.
Marilyn Stone and Mary Wilson agreed with Spicer, and added that they also came for bingo and other activities.
“I am on the bowling team so I drive in from Commiskey on Thursdays and I always come in for lunch. It is always good,” Jerry Redkey said.
Martha Franks and her sister Lorena Seal volunteer often at the center.
“We come in to the center to help at different things. Then, depending on the time, we stay for lunch. It’s just nice to socialize,” Franks said.
People under 60 may also eat at the Senior Resource Center, but they are requested to pay $5 for their meal.
Donations are accepted for the lunch program and other programs.
For more information, call 812-346-1234.
