Community helps Edmond Senior Center keep serving meals

“We come here to socialize,” Noxon said. “Always have and always will.”

Deaton said the meal program attracts people who would otherwise be idle at home.

“If they’re up here socializing, they’re getting a hot meal, they may participate in the exercise program — we’re saving them money in that as well,” Deaton said.

“They need a place to hang out; they need to keep their minds active. We want to keep them in the present as much as possible. We don’t want them sitting at home sinking back into the past.”

People age 55 or older are welcome.

“At the time that they sign up, we can take their picture and make them a membership card,” she said.

“At that time, they’re asked if they want to make a $12 per year donation. They don’t have to. Most of them do, and it allows us to do basic things to keep up the building.”

The meal program is the same: It has a suggested price of $2.50, and those who eat can choose to put money in the box or not.

“There is no pressure that they have to walk in the door with money,” Deaton said.

The lunches are served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and are provided by Carson’s Catering.

“As you can see, it is pretty healthy looking today,” Bolvin said, looking at her lunch recently. “Normally, they are very healthy. They feed us pretty well.”