The former Emporia Rehabilitation Center, which closed in late December, will be home to a food-preparation center for Lyon County senior citizens beginning in mid-April, according to an announcement from the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging.
The agency has launched a campaign to raise $200,000 for the project, which agency officials say will “enhance and support community-based services for older Kansans and their caregivers, and meet other priority community needs.”
The agency’s executive director, Julie Govert Walter, said that the first priority will be to establish a food service operation to prepare and distribute group and home-delivered meals to senior citizens in Emporia and other sites throughout the county.
Meals currently are prepared in Ottawa and brought to the Heritage Center here for distribution. The local food preparation will eliminate the food’s travel time between Ottawa and Emporia and also is expected to deliver an economic boost to Emporia, she said.
A task force has been formed by the area agency on aging to study options that may be available to make the most of the Emporia Rehab building and property surrounding it.
“Ideas under consideration include intergenerational and youth programs, office space, independent living residences, an emergency/homeless shelter, adult day care, Friendship Garden, and space for receptions, community activities, meetings, forums and workshops,” an agency news release stated.
Walter said in the release that the agency has a successful track record with “win-win” projects involving other organizations. She cited the agency office in Manhattan as an example, with its own collaboration with a community health clinic.
Agency representatives will discuss ideas for potential uses with Emporia leaders.
Tax-deductible donations to reach the $200,000 goal may be sent to the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging, 401 Houston St., Manhattan KS 66501.
The agency serves 18 counties, including Chase, Lyon, Marion, and Morris counties in this area.
The Agency on Aging currently rents use of the Heritage Center, which is owned by the Emporia Rescue Mission and Abundant Harvest ministry.
Abundant Harvest will remain at 1028 Whittier St., which is owned by the ministry.
“Their move will not affect what we do at (Abundant Harvest),” said ministry director Lee Alderman.
Evening meals will continue to be served at Abundant Harvest at no charge Mondays through Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.