Senior citizens centers closed to at least March 30

By Robert Green

Staff writer

3-18-2020

All the senior centers in Sanpete and Sevier Counties served by the Six County Association of Governments (SCAOG) will be closed at least until March 30, or further notice, to reduce the risk of seniors contracting Coronavirus.

This means that all activities such as Bingo and sit-down lunches will be halted for the time being, said Sharon Bullard, assistant manager of aging and nutrition at SCAOG.

However, those people who would like to continue receiving meals from the senior center can pick them up for take-out, Bullard said. Any senior that would like to pick up meals must let the staff at their center know in advance how many meals they would like so the kitchen can prepare the proper number of meals, Ballard said.

The meals will be delivered on regular days and placed on a table outside of the senior center, she said. People can drive by and pick up their meals and take them home to eat.

The kitchen will try to follow the regular menu, providing all the ingredients are available at the grocery stores, Bullard said. Already, several stores in Richfield are running short on some supplies, she said, and some shelves have turned up bare.

For those people who would like a meal, but can’t make it to the centers, arrangements can be made for home delivery, she said. It is important to note that Meals on Wheels will continue for homebound seniors on regular days, Bullard said.

These changes are being made in accordance with the governor’s directive to combat the spread of COVID-19 and will be in effect until March 30, or unless cleared by the public health department, Bullard said.

“If you are feeling sick, please do not come into the centers,” she said. “Senior health and safety is our highest priority.”

There are also a couple of independent senior centers in Sanpete County that are not associated with SCAOG and they do not serve daily meals:

The senior center in Ephraim is still planning on holding its potluck luncheon on March 19 at noon, said director Carolyn Tidwell. That is the last event of the month there.

And the Moroni Senior Center has cancelled its potluck luncheon on March 18, said spokesperson Linda Jarman; and it will be decided later if any events will be held in April.