The Prairie Pioneer Center in Broken Bow continues to offer meals as well as a space for games, cards, pool, and more to the community. Director Cathy Larson visited with KCNI/KBBN recently about all that is happening at the center, while also updating some developments they are wanting to make.
Larson said that an important item to remember is that the Prairie Pioneer Center is for everyone, no matter what your age is. That applies to everything from the several activities that happen each week all the way to meals, both at the center and deliveries.
For those over the age of 60, $6.50 is the suggested meal donation at the center. Home delivered suggested donation is $6.75. If you are under the age of 60, the charge for a meal is $7.25.
Calling the center to reserve a meal or delivery can take place whenever is convenient. The Prairie Pioneer Center keeps track of meals and dates, and encourages calls at any time, said Larson.
“If you want a meal that day. You can call ahead of time. Say you wanted to come in on Thursday to eat but you were going to be busy and wanted to call me on Monday, then we just keep track of it. You don’t have to call just that day. We have answering machines. So if it’s ten o’ clock at night and you think ‘Oh, I want to go for dinner tomorrow’ just call and leave me a message.”
The number to call for meal service is 308-872-6121.
Larson echoed a message that was passed along in the March edition of the Prairie Pioneer Telegram: Centers like themselves have not received any COVID funding for quite some time, all funds have been expended, and further related funding will not be received.
“We received some, what they called ARPA funds, last year but even that had to be spent up within a year. A lot of people think that because we’re nonprofit we get funding from the state. We are associated with the South Central Agency on Aging out of Kearney. We do get funding from them, but it meets about 40 percent of our needs,” said Larson.
With raw food costs along running at a rate of about $3,000 per month, Larson said that contributions in any way of any size can help tremendously in keeping the Prairie Pioneer Center open and running. Contributions can be made by writing a check directly to the Prairie Pioneer Center, bringing in cash, or just coming in to enjoy a meal.
Calls have started coming in expressing the desire to have meals delivered to locations outside of Broken Bow; a task that Larson says they would love to do, but that would require the help of more volunteers.
“Right now, just within the city limits, we do anywhere from 30 to 35 home deliveries a day. I would like to see us extend out into Callaway, Merna, Ansley, Berwyn. I’ve had some calls about people needing home delivered meals out that way but I need some volunteers that would be willing to come into town, pick up the meals, and then see that they get where they need to be.”
As the monthly telegram stated and Larson echoed in speaking with KCNI/KBBN, staffing costs, food costs, utility costs, and inflation are making it difficult to provide services. She stated that the Prairie Pioneer Center is always looking for volunteers, whether to turn a spoon in a mixing bowl in the kitchen or to help expand the food delivery footprint.
Those interested in volunteering at the Prairie Pioneer Center are encouraged to call 308-872-6121.
