KINGWOOD — With the continued concern about the coronavirus, local senior centers are going the extra mile to serve their clients.
Preston County Senior Citizen Director Janie Lou White said her staff is doing all they can do to make sure clients receive a healthy meal.
She said seniors who formerly rode to the centers for meals by the Buckwheat Express now have meals delivered to them through Meals on Wheels. Clients who have their own transportation can pick up take-out meals at the center.
White said the staff calls 300-plus county seniors twice a week to make sure they are all right and if they need essential supplies or medicine.
“We are available to pick up and take people to the grocery store and the pharmacy,” she said. “Seniors can call and ask for the bus garage, and they will work out a time to take them where they need to go.”
White said some local grocery stores agreed to take phone orders for seniors.
“Save A Lot, Shop ‘n Save and Walmart will take orders by phone for seniors,” White said. “We don’t go into the store so it has to be paid for in advance. It’s boxed up for us and we pick it up and take it to the person who called in the order.”
She said steps are taken to protect clients who ride the Buckwheat Express. White said an exterminator fogs the buses with an antiviral fogger weekly. They are also cleaned and disinfected after every trip.
White said she is grateful to the Mountain Line Transit Authority for telling her about the fogger.
“I appreciate them letting us know what is available out there,” White said. “They get a lot more information than we do.”
Debbie Clarke, front office supervisor at Senior Monongalians, said they are continuing to deliver meals to clients who formerly used van transportation to get to the center for meals.
She said for those who have transportation, the center is offering grab-and-go meals Monday through Friday.
“Seniors can call between 8 and 11 a.m. to reserve a meal,” Clarke said. “They can come to the center, stay in their car and the meal will be brought out to them.”
She said Senior Mons is not currently helping seniors with shopping.
“If someone calls and can’t pick up their prescription or other essentials, we will try to get it to them,” she said.
To contact Preston County Senior Citizens call 304-329-0464. For Senior Mons call 304-296-9812.
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