Community
BY ETHAN THOMAS
The Comal County Senior Citizens Foundation, or CCSCF, is working to combat new funding challenges and senior loneliness. Executive Director Chris Smith said new challenges have come up, including a loss of funding, which led CCSCF to shrink its footprint. Where the foundation once served mobile meals to other cities outside of Comal County, the focus has now been narrowed to strengthening support for seniors in New Braunfels. CCSCF collaborated with the Alamo Area Council of Governments to identify providers to serve members who are now outside of Comal County, Smith said. The foundation previously contracted Meals on Wheels San Antonio as its premier provider of mobile meals to seniors, but has since shifted to Selrico Services to cut costs and provide higher- quality meals to seniors the foundation serves. The mobile meals program is primarily funded by the federal Older Americans Act. The foundation is reimbursed for the meals delivered, causing a waitlist, but what was once a list of over 200 has since been lowered to less than 30 seniors after the shift, Smith said. Foundation strives to support seniors
What they oer
meal, according to the website. The foundation is also working to make connections with local educational providers to prevent Comal County’s aging population from being the target of scams, which can also be linked back to combating isolation in the senior community, Smith said. “I’ve had multiple people come to me saying that their parent has been scammed. And I think, again, that goes along with the isolation. Sometimes, the only people that talk to them are the scammers,” Smith said.
The foundation oers tness classes, free meals at the foundation’s 710 Center, located at 710 Landa St., for seniors 50 years or older. Seniors are required to have a membership to take advantage of the activity center, which grants them access to craft classes and groups, card games, bingo, a pool and other activities, according to the website. For seniors 60 and over, the foundation oers free congregate meals Monday through Friday. Community members under 60 are also welcome but are required to pay a $6 fee for the
Membership cost breakdown
Membership Monthly cost Annual cost
Standard
Fitness
$5
$40
$60
$480
• congregate meals • pool access
Standard benets plus the classes: • Tai Chi • Forever Fit • water aerobics • Zumba • chair yoga • pilates barre
• 710 Center access • game room • craft classes/groups
Bene ts
SOURCE: COMAL COUNTY SENIOR CITIZEN FOUNDATIONCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Comal County Senior Citizens Foundation
How to help
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The foundation is always accepting cash donations, but those who would like to give time as a volunteer are invited to either visit the 710 Center or ll out the volunteer application online. CCSCF also holds fundraising events throughout the year.
N
www.nbsenior.org 710 Landa St., New Braunfels
The CCSCF oers games, craft groups and classes.
ETHAN THOMASCOMMUNITY IMPACT
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