Senior meals outreach to start in Bude

The Southwest Mississippi Planning and Development District’s Area Agency on Aging — in conjunction with the Bude Community Foundation — has announced plans to begin a senior feeding program on Monday, March 21.

The outreach seeks to provide nutritious lunch plates to Franklin County area senior adults each weekday, according to Yolanda Campbell, who serves as the PDD’s Aging Division director.

“Our plan is to start serving next week and a number of people have already signed up and been approved to participate,” Campbell said.

“The goal is to have congregate meals available Monday through Friday as a way of seeing to the needs of seniors in your area.”

Campbell said those wanting to take part must first be registered through the Agency on Aging program to get the daily meals and can start the process by calling 601-446-6044 or 800-338-2049.

“We just need some basic information, including your name, address and age,” she continued.

The meals will be served in the Bude Community Foundation’s fellowship hall at the corner of Third Street, Main Street and Mississippi Highway 184.

Initial plans call for the feeding site to be open between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., but the hours will likely be updated as the service gets fully established.

In addition, those needing transportation to the meal site can utilize free shuttles serving Franklin County through the Claiborne County Human Resource Agency.

Area residents — age 60 and older — can also get free rides to local stores, banks, pharmacies and other destinations within the boundaries of Franklin County through the CCHRA mobility initiative.

To arrange for transportation services, call either of the same numbers used to contact the Agency on Aging.

Marsha Webb, who serves as BCF’s Programs Director, said the food service outreach is a great opportunity for her group to host an activity that has the potential to benefit so many in Bude and beyond.

“One of our goals is to boost the quality of life for all our residents, and this service can do that,” Webb said.

“I hope our seniors will take advantage of it as well as the free transportation so that both programs can continue well into the future.”

Campbell said that, prior to the coronavirus pandemic, her agency had six congregate meal sites in its multi-county service area, but the operation ultimately ceased due to the virus and safety concerns.

“We’ve already had one site to reopen and now we have a new location in Bude,” she continued. “Our hope is that the region’s senior adults will start to take part in this program again and it will carry on from there.”