A lifeline to our community - Grangeville Senior Center
Photo & Story By Dana Greig
Three days a week, laughter and conversation fill the Grangeville Senior Center’s dining hall, where a nourishing meal is just the start. From pinocle games and musical performances to friendships that span decades, the center is a lifeline—especially for those who need more than food. Behind every plate served is a story of connection, care, and a community that looks after its own.
Beginning in 1976 as a modest downtown gathering place with nearly 100 members has grown into a vibrant hub nearing 600 strong—proof that a “dollar-a-month” idea can build a lifetime of community.
“We call membership Dollar a Month Club because at the start membership was one dollar - a dollar went a lot further then,” laughed treasurer Lois Geary.
Of all their services, the senior nutrition program is likely the most known in the community. Meals for all ages through the program are served at the center Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays by donation as well as home deliveries on those days.
And yet, the history of the determination, work and heart put into the program to keep it running throughout the years isn’t as common knowledge.
Before 2006, the nutrition program was contracted externally, and when that contract wasn’t renewed it was up to the center to keep the program going or lose the resource for the community. Alice Rickman got Delores Kindall, director of nutrition, on board to ask the center to contract the program in-house.
“I’m very passionate about it,” smiled Kindall. “We asked the board if money was available and there was nothing. When we started in ’06 all we had was the equipment that was still here – stoves, refrigerators, pots and pans that’s all we had. So, I went to the grocery stores and asked them if they would back us. I told them I couldn’t guarantee we’d be able to pay them back the first month, but they set up a charge account for us. We were able to make the first payment in the first month and we haven’t been delinquent since. It’s really snowballed, it’s a great program and I didn’t want to see it go down the drain.”
The following year, they made sure programs in Cottonwood and Winchester didn’t fall away either by also hosting their contracts. In 2018, groups in both towns began contracting individually, leaving Grangeville to return to a sole contract. That year, Grangeville was able to expand from two days of meals per week to three.
“It’s been an interesting ride,” smiled Kindall.
During the past three years, the numbers of those utilizing the nutrition program have increased by 40%.
“We used to think 50 was a lot, and now we’re close to 100,” laughed Kindall. “Our home deliveries are up too, we have more than 50 now.”
With these numbers, the kitchen is pumping out close to 20,000 meals per year. And yet, the center is about a lot more than just feeding bellies, the incredibly important social aspect is something the regulars rely on possibly more than nourishment.
“A lot of people come three times a week,” explained Kindall. “Lots of married couples and it’s a great place to come to meet people for those who have lost spouses. After coming here, a lot of people say ‘gosh I never realized it’s so fun and friendly!’”
Skill levels vary in the post meal pinocle crowd from sharks to newbies, with anyone welcome to join.
“For people that want to, it’s a good place to learn pinocle,” said president Larry Nelson. “They take the time throughout the game to teach everyone.”
Other resources available through the center include free Wi-Fi, a library, puzzles, medical equipment for loan by donation, emergency evacuation location, pinocle after lunch, entertainment by the Fiddlers who play on Wednesdays at 11 a.m., Bingo every Friday night from 6-8 p.m. through the summer and storage and building rental. Storage and building rental are currently the top two income earners for the center. The building is available for events, with the dining area and kitchen being separate rentals. Beer and wine are allowed but no kegs or hard liquor. Outdoor storage for rent offers covered and open options, all secured with fencing.
“Our parking lot is fairly flat and has low traffic if people want to come and walk,” said Nelson. “People are also welcome to walk inside when the weather is really cold or hot.”
Those interested in any of the services can call the center at 208-983-2033.
“There’s a lot of work to it but as long as I have good people with me, and right now the board is really good help, that’s what keeps me going,” said Nelson.
Agreeing, Geary added “That’s what keeps the whole thing going!”
There are multiple ways community members can step in to help keep “the whole thing going” as well. Since this February, community members have been able to support the nutrition program with the meal sponsorship program with a $250 donation that covers the cost of kitchen personnel for one day.
The first meal sponsorship came from the Grangeville Lions Club, who donated $1,500 to meal sponsorships and another $1,500 for equipment. Many people in the community have already followed suit to donate to the program, as well as sponsoring holiday meals.
The center is seeking storage containers or sheds to help house the extensive amount of medical equipment available for the community to use. Volunteers are also always welcome and appreciated.
“I can’t say enough about the community, they’ve all been so great to us,” emphasized Kindle.