Here for the community: Corbin Senior Citizen Center offering food, fun and friendship

Courtesy Photo

Many in the local community are likely aware that the Corbin Senior Citizen Center operates near the meeting point of Knox, Whitley and Laurel counties, but how much do you know about the many opportunities currently being offered there?

The facility, located at 409 Barbourville Street, just across the street from Campbell Field and on the other side of the creek from Rotary Park, is affiliated with the Cumberland Valley Area Development District’s Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living. According to CVADD’s website, www.cvadd.org, the agency is “part of a Network on Aging under the direction of the US Administration on Aging.”

Thanks to federal funding that is accessed through CVADD, the Corbin Senior Citizen Center is able to offer a wide range of services to individuals 60 years and older.

“We service a 10-miles radius,” said Site Manager Tarrah Perkins. “We offer home-delivered meals, homemaking services and pickups. Whatever CVADD approves.”

Perkins explained that, to qualify for many of these expanded services, individuals must be located within the service area, must be at least 60-years-old, and they must undergo a screening process. To find out more about that process, please call 1-800-795-7654.

In addition to these services, the Corbin Senior Citizen Center also offers daily meals and activities free-of-charge for anyone in the local area meeting age requirements. All the center needs is some basic information to get you set up into their system, and you will be able to take advantage of the delicious meals and special events that are taking place there regularly.

For more information on what is being offered each day at the center, come by or call (606) 528-0100. Anyone on Facebook can also follow the announcements posted there by searching for “Corbin Senior Citizen Center.”

Amber Case has served as director of the center for the past three months. She says it has been a tremendously rewarding experience so far.

“I was born and raised here [in Corbin],” Case said. “I have always had a passion for helping and being around people. I came from working in the school system for several years before taking a break to spend more time with my family. When I decided that I was ready to get back out there, I saw that this job was being advertised. I prayed about it, and when I came in to do my interview it really became something that I knew I would be interested in doing.”

“They all have such powerful and great stories,” Case said of the men and women that frequent the Corbin Senior Citizen Center. “They also offer some really great advice.”

Perkins, Case and company are currently making preparations to host the center’s annual Thanksgiving dinner event on Wednesday, Nov. 15. On that day, beginning at 11:20 a.m., members of the Corbin Rotary Club will be on hand to help hand out meals provided by David’s Steakhouse and Catering.

Perkins expects approximately 200 meals to be served on Nov. 15. She advised that anyone wishing to pick up a meal should arrive at least a few minutes early, as food will only be available in limited supply.

Whether it’s for a meal, or to just hang out, Case encouraged local seniors to come and check out the many offerings at the Corbin Senior Citizen Center. “The socialization is great for people, especially those dealing with anxiety or depression,” she said. “It is healthy for them, mentally and physically. It has been healthy for me too!”

Jenny Smith, a retired educator, also spoke on the benefits of visiting the center, saying, “A lot of people don’t have much outside contact, so this provides them with important social time. It’s a wonderful place.”

Smith also bragged on the daily menu, which features meals such as meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans (Nov. 10), sausage and eggs with English muffin, oatmeal and nonfat yogurt (Nov. 13) and herb marinated chicken with sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower and ambrosia salad (Nov. 14).

As a non-profit entity, the Corbin Senior Citizen Center welcomes support from other area organizations, such as local businesses and churches, as well as individuals who would like to lend a helping hand. To learn more about how you can donate time, money, or other resources to the center, call or come by, or send an e-mail to cobinseniorcitizencenter@gmail.com.