Area Agency on Aging of East Texas to Reopen Senior Meal Sites to the Public
Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • July 12, 2021
The Area Agency on Aging of East Texas
(AAA) is pleased to announce the reopening of senior centers serving congregate meals
in Camp, Marion, Harrison, Rains, and Wood counties starting on July 12. The meal sites closed to the public in March of 2020 to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, the AAA continued serving clients in the senior nutrition program by offering meals through delivery or pickup.
The AAA expends about $2.4 million for the senior nutrition program annually in East Texas, serving approximately 4,000 seniors. We contract with the Meals on Wheels Ministry of Tyler to serve six counties, the Meals on Wheels of Palestine for three counties, and the AAA serves as a direct provider for six counties. The program provides nutritious meals to older individuals (60 and over) through congregate meal sites and home-delivered meals.
AAA meal sites reopening on July 12:
Marshall Senior Center Open Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
106 E. Crockett Street
Marshall, TX 75670
Marshall #2 Senior Center Open Monday – Friday, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Oak Leaf Apartments - 113 Oakley Dr.
Marshall, TX 75670
Jefferson Senior Center
Open Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
111 W. Broadway
Jefferson, TX 75657
UT Health Pittsburg
Open Monday – Friday, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
2701 U.S. Highway 271 N.
Pittsburg, TX 75686
Emory Senior Center
Open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
179 Doris Briggs Pkwy.
Emory, TX 75440
Waskom Senior Center
Open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
165 Texas Ave.
Waskom, TX 75692
*Reopened June 14*
Yantis Senior Center
Open Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
100 City Circle
Yantis, TX 75497
"Our hearts go out to our participants who have faced illness, death, and the loss of loved ones during the pandemic. We are grateful to the staff at the senior nutrition sites, which continued to serve our seniors," said ETCOG's Director of Aging, Bettye Mitchell. "This program is vital to help reduce social isolation of those who are homebound or in rural areas. Many of our clients use the congregate meal sites to engage with other seniors through games, conversations, and activities, so we are excited to reopen and bring seniors together to reconnect."
Find out if you are eligible for the senior nutrition program by calling 1-800-442-8845. The AAA offers sponsored public transportation to the senior centers through a partnership with GoBus.
Each May, the Administration for Community Living leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month, and this year’s theme was “Champion Your Health.” In recognition of the month, the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas hosted three community events in Jacksonville, Marshall, and Athens, bringing together older adults, caregivers, staff, volunteers, and community partners to celebrate healthy aging and support older adults’ independence. More than 420 people attended the three events, where they received information and heard from experts on senior services, exercise programs, fraud and scams, and ways to take an active role in managing their health. Activities included on-site health screenings, evidence-based activity demonstrations, a Dementia Live demonstration, and the TxDOT Car Fit Program for Seniors. At some events, local officials also read proclamations recognizing May as Older Americans Month, including Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis, who presented the proclamation in Jacksonville. “We encourage older East Texans and their caregivers to connect with our agency to learn more about the resources and services available to help them live independently and remain active in their communities,” said Adrian Cornejo, ETCOG’s Director of the Area Agency on Aging. Special thanks to all event partners, sponsors, volunteers, AAA staff, and participants who helped make these Older Americans Month events a success!
Throughout May, the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) will join organizations across the nation in celebrating Older Americans Month (OAM), led by the Administration for Community Living, honoring the important contributions of older adults in our communities. This year’s theme, “Champion Your Health,” encourages older adults to focus on the steps they can take to support their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, while highlighting the resources and community connections that help people age well. In recognition of Older Americans Month, AAA will host three special events at community locations across East Texas to celebrate older adults and share information about programs and services available to seniors and caregivers. Throughout the month of May, the Area Agency on Aging will also participate in additional events that promote the mental and physical health of our communities and recognize the many contributions older Americans have made, and continue to make, across the country. As the United States marks its 250th anniversary this year, Older Americans Month also offers an opportunity to reflect on the generations of older adults whose service, leadership, and life experiences have helped shape our nation, our state, and our local communities. “Older Americans Month is an important time to recognize the lasting contributions of older adults and the many ways they strengthen our communities,” said Adrian Cornejo, ETCOG’s Director of the Area Agency on Aging. “This year’s theme, Champion Your Health, reminds us of the importance of supporting healthy aging by connecting older East Texans with resources, services, and opportunities that help them live well and remain engaged.” The following OAM celebration events are free and open to the public and will feature information on services and supports available to East Texas seniors: Friday, May 15 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM First Christian Church 1920 Beaumont St. Jacksonville, Texas 75766 Wednesday, May 20 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Marshall Convention Center 2501 E. End Blvd S. Marshall, Texas 75672 Thursday, May 21 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM First Methodist Church of Athens 225 Lovers Lane Athens, Texas 75751 The AAA is the region’s leader in advocacy and services for older adults, providing support such as information and referral, benefits counseling, case management, health education classes, senior nutrition, and the Ombudsman program for people living in nursing and assisted living facilities. These services help older individuals live independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their homes and communities for as long as possible. For questions about the events, contact the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas at (903) 218-6500.
