With the retirement of Loretta Whitlow, Chris Wall has been hired as the manager of the Silver Creek Senior Center. She brings with her more than 20 years experience in urban ministry such as a food bank and a homeless shelter in California, where she was living.
Wall moved to Snowflake recently, and was in need of a few items before her belongings arrived, so she visited the center, where she was made aware of the open position. She filled out an application and is already at work.
She said she must be doing OK, because they haven’t fired her yet and she’s been there for more than a month now.
“My passion is staff and volunteers,” said Wall. “Volunteers are the unsung heroes.
“If it wasn’t for volunteers, it wouldn’t work here,” said Board President Cindy Schreiber.
“What is so encouraging from the volunteers is their passion for what they’re doing,” said Wall.
Whitlow began her career with the center delivering Meals on Wheels, and did that for two years before she was hired as manager. She retired three years later from the manager position, but agreed to return. She worked as manager for another two years, but recently retired.
Even so, she has not stopped volunteering for the center. She’s back as a driver for the Meals on Wheels program.
Center officials are always looking for volunteer drivers for the Meals on Wheels Program, which served 390 meals during the month of October. The drivers build unique relationships with those they deliver meals to, and become aware of their clients’ patterns, checking on them each weekday.
Often those in need of meals at home are not able to pay for the service, Wall explained. There are programs to help, but currently there is a waiting list for them. Wall said that often a family member or friend will pay for home delivered meals, but if you are interested in helping a senior with the cost of a good meal, contact the center at 536-2222.
The center serves approximately 1,300 meals a month through the efforts of three paid employees and volunteers. Wall added that the lunch meals are served on real china and with silverware, and, “We serve the meal.”
Along with her experience in volunteer management and coordinating volunteers, Wall is bringing new ideas to the center.
One such suggestion is to have a tea and fashion show in the spring, using items from the Thrift Store.
The senior center is funded by the towns of Snowflake and Taylor, and the newly expanded Thrift Store is another of their main sources of income. “We have been doing awesome,” said Wall.
The Thrift Store is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
The Thrift Store is run by volunteers, and is always in need of volunteers and items to sell.
The center also has two food banks. Feed America is provided through United Food Bank with donations coming through Walmart. It is available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
In addition, the center, through United Food Bank, distributes food boxes from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. They ask that you please bring bags or boxes. You must be eligible for this program.
Veggie Day is held on the third Monday of each month, and anyone can stop by from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to get a box of vegetables, but they ask you to bring your own bags or box.
If you are interested in volunteering for any of these programs or have questions, call Wall at 536-2222.
The Silver Creek Senior Center is located at 1658 S. Main St. in Snowflake, behind Our Lady of Snow Catholic Church. Travel through the parking lot of Northland Pioneer College to get to the center.
