Mt. Vernon Register-News

Local

April 6, 2009

Sunshine Center to combine dining sites

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — The Sunshine Center will be consolidating two of its dining sites in order to better serve seniors.

The current city dining site, at New Life Harvest Church, will be combined with the former Rose Lane dining site which, along with the Waltonville site was temporarily suspended last year.

“We do not have the money to hire a site supervisor for the Rose Lane dining site,” explained Jan Reed, senior nutrition project director at the Sunshine Center. “This was the next best thing, to figure out to consolidate the two [sites] so they both would still offer a place to go and wouldn’t require any more funding from the program.”

Reed said a meeting was held on March 10 at Rose Lane, and flyers were sent out to seniors in order to determine interest for that location.

“We had a good turnout,” she said. “We had a lot of surveys sent in and we did decided that it’s definitely something needed in that area for the program and the services we provide.”

For the past 27 years, the Sunshine Center had been located at 521 Perkins Ave., but was given a Dec. 16 deadline to vacate is offices when the Power of Change Christian Center purchased that building from Mt. Vernon District 80 last fall. Since then, the center’s city nutrition program had been temporarily moved to New Life Harvest Church.

“Originally, when our building was first sold and we were trying to come up with options, going to Rose Lane was discussed,” Reed added. “All the participants at the Perkins Avenue site were agreeable to that and they still are, so they’re anticipating the move.”

She said seniors are still participating in bingo three days a week and Bible study on Tuesdays.

However, Reed does have some concerns once the consolidation takes place at Rose Lane.

“The main concern I have is the parking issue,” she noted, “which is why we decided not to go there in the first place. We still have people that drive their own vehicle. It may be an issue, but something we have to figure out how to work out.”

She said when deciding on the feasibility of conducting the senior nutrition program at Rose Lane, a survey was completed in conjunction with the Housing Authority of Jefferson County and the City of Mt. Vernon.

“They were very helpful,” Reed remarked. “This is something I believe all three entities are excited and happy about.”

The first lunch at the Rose Lane dining site will be May 4, she said.

Text Only
Local
  • Start Smart program to start second season

    MT. VERNON — The Mt. Vernon Department of Parks and Recreation will host a second season of Start Smart, a program that helps parents teach their children sports skills.

    February 8, 2012

  • Mayor declares February Black History Month

    MT. VERNON — February is Black History Month across the United States, but it is officially Black History Month in the city of Mt. Vernon as well.

    February 8, 2012

  • Church to host revival

    MT. VERNON — Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church will be hosting a three-day Black History Month Celebration/Winter Revival in conjunction with Jefferson County Crusaders for Change.

    February 8, 2012

  • City approves track construction plans

    MT. VERNON —  The Mt. Vernon City Council on Monday approved a resolution allowing a rail spur to be built onto Continental Tire the Americas property.

    February 8, 2012

  • fire fighter Fire fighters tour with military truck

    MT. VERNON — Mt. Vernon Fire Department firefighter and Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Chris Heiken brought a military tactical fire fighting truck to the 42nd Street Mt. Vernon Fire Department station on Tuesday.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • Chamber of Commerce seeks nominations

    MT. VERNON — Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for its 2012 Citizen of the Year and Small Business Person of the Year.

    February 7, 2012

  • Crime Stoppers to release Watchdog Quarterly

    MT. VERNON — The Jefferson County Crime Stoppers is gearing up to release its first Watchdog Quarterly.

    February 7, 2012

  • Two plead guilty in controlled substance cases

    MT. VERNON — Jefferson County courts recently saw two guilty pleas in controlled substance cases.

    February 7, 2012

  • The soccer field at Lincoln Park now named Steve Harrison Field

    MT. VERNON — The Mt. Vernon City Council on Monday approved a resolution to name the soccer field at Lincoln Park Steve Harrison Field.

    February 7, 2012

  • Yeager Local woman's first book is published

    MT. VERNON — Janet Yaeger’s first children’s book, “Matilda’s Upside Down Smile,” is being released this week through Casa de Snapdragon Publishing Company of Albuquerque, N.M.

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo