Rotary donates $1,500 to SMH’s Senior meals program

The Rotary Club of Breckenridge provided a check of $1,500 to members of the Stephens Memorial Hospital District to aid the senior meals program. The donation was provided during the weekly, Tuesday, October 27 meeting.

The funds were allocated as a part of a grant applied for by Yuri Huntington, club president, and other club leaders. The Rotary Club of Breckenridge received a grant of $749 and matched the funds, while adding a few dollars to make the total an even $1,500.

“When we first learned of the senior citizen center closing, the Rotarians immediately begin to strategize,” Yuri Huntington, President of the Rotary Club of Breckenridge said. “We felt that there was more we could offer, and we organized a way to contribute more. I contacted our district governor with questions about receiving a grant.”

The club was joined by Chris Curtis, SMH’s Director of Business Development, and Sarah Shumate, SMH’s Dietary Director, as the two spoke on the behalf of the senior meals program.

“This process was a complete leap of faith,” Chris Curtis, SMH’s Director of Business Development said. “Whenever we heard the senior citizens center was closing, I knew we had to do something. Sarah Shumate and I were on the same page for this process, and I am extremely proud none of the citizens missed a single meal. We appreciate the support as this will feed a lot of people.”

The Rotary Club of Breckenridge agreed to deliver meals to seniors for the month of August. Due to the ease of delivery, and the thoughtfulness of the group, the club agreed to deliver again for the month of October.

The club joins the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce, which is partnering with the Stephens Memorial Hospital District to aid in the meal delivery program for senior citizens.

Between Meals on Wheels and the Senior Meals, homebound citizens receive hot meals five days per week. In addition to helping fund these programs, SMH continues to look for help delivering the meals. The routes generally take less than 30 minutes to deliver.

The hospital meals program was feeding over 350 meals per month, but now makes over 720 meals per month. The cost to feed a senior, three times a week for an entire year is $625.

“We are very grateful to everyone that help and volunteer,” Sarah Shumate, SMH’s Dietary Director said. “The citizens are very appreciative, and we at the hospital appreciate these citizens very much.”

Businesses, organizations, and citizens can adopt a route to delivery or split the days driving with co-workers or friends.

SMH is looking for citizens who can adopt community senior citizens. If any citizen has any questions regarding the program, individuals can contact Chris Curtis or Sarah Shumate at 254-559-2241. Interesting citizens can also contact the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce at 254-559-2301.