The Montague County Carpenter's Shop dba Nocona Senior Center

The Montague County Carpenter's Shop dba The Nocona Senior Center was established in 1987 by a Methodist Minister who started feeding about six elderly and disabled from his home. This vision today has grown to approximately 104 elderly and disabled that are currently being fed by the Center five days a week. Out of this 104 potential recipients only 27 are reimbursed by the government. All of the other 77 seniors or disabled are paid for through sponsorships, donations, grants, local churches or fundraisers. It costs approximately $1,188 to feed one person a year. Therefore out of a total cost of $123,552 only $32,076 is reimbursed by the government. The other $91,476 is raised through local generosity of the community. This year especially due to COVID, our donations are drastically down, food costs have increased tremendously as well as utilities. In a small town of 3,033 population and three part time employees, The Nocona Senior Center prepares on an average 3,123 meals a month. (This number includes take out and dining in). The Center also provides pet food for 28 recipients on our routes. We deliver pet food every Monday morning to 27 dogs 18 cats and 1 bird. Most seniors who have pets tend to live longer and have a reason to get up every day. Before COVID we had numerous daily activities which included but not limited to bridge three times a week. Bonco once a month in the evening. Friday morning bingo - free to participants, senior exercise and zoomba, community monthly bingo, lunch served every day in the dining room, blood pressure checks monthly, health screenings and educational inservices, drivers training, summer swim at the pool, monthly musical JAMS, large holiday gatherings, i.e. Memorial Day, Thansgiving, Christmas. At Christmas all the recipients on the route receive Christmas gifts and dinner. The Center is such a vital and important piece of the seniors' life that it is a true staple of our community that stands true to our mission "Nurture all seniors mind, body and spirit"