Fundraising Efforts Continuing at the Senior Center

As we updated you last week about our ongoing budget shortfall for 2023, we continued to work on our fundraising efforts and hosted a planning meeting on October 19, 2022. The committee is made up of ASI Executive Director, Board of Director members in addition to a few passionate community members. We are looking for additional community members to help support our fundraising efforts and invite you to reach out, if you are interested in participating as we continue to organize around a variety of funding opportunities for the remainder of 2022 and beyond.

In terms of our request to the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners, we have been notified that the full amount of what we requested was incorporated into the 2023 budget review and we will wait to hear final numbers at the end of November when the budget is finalized. Until then please be on the lookout for your year end annual request from Archuleta Seniors Inc. that we will be circulating shortly to partners and community members. If you would like to be on our mailing list / donor list please contact us with your mailing and email address at your earliest convenience at rosa@psseniors.org

As we head into the end of fall please plan on joining us in the dining hall Monday through Thursday for a hot freshly prepared meal or consider our grab in go service that enables you to pick up lunch Monday through Friday. A reminder that we would like for you to call in and reserve your meal by 9 am the day you would like to dine in or pick up. We have had many more drop in folks over the past few weeks as we have been open Monday through Thursday for dine in services. It is critical that we get our meal count right so that we can also provide frozen meals on the weekend to those receiving the meals on wheels service.

Text Us @ 970-264-2167
Don’t forget that we also offer a convenient texting service for you to communicate with us. When texting, please include your name, phone number and the days you want a meal. If you are calling to cancel a reservation, please include your name, phone number and the days you want to cancel. Texting services are available for dining-in meal reservations, Grab-n-Go meals, and Meals on Wheels recipients.

Mobile Food Pantry Service Available for Seniors
The Pagosa Senior Center would like to remind the community about our mobile food pantry services we provide in partnership with Archuleta County MET to seniors age 60 and older throughout most areas of Archuleta County. In order to participate in this program, community members must visit with Barbara Noriega at the downtown Senior Center located in the Ross Aragon Community Center to fill out an application to qualify for hot meal delivery service and/or the mobile pantry service. The application, called the dining assessment form, is also available on our website at the bottom of the Community Cafe page http://www.psseniors.org/community-cafeacute.html. For more information contact us at 970-264-2167.

Medicare Call by Appointment
For anyone who needs help enrolling and navigating Medicare plans, we help with Parts A, B, and D. We can also help you with fraud concerns and troubleshooting any billing issues you may be having. By appointment only. Please call our Medicare line at 970-264-0501; ext 4.

Future Programming Volunteers Needed
We are looking to implement new programming in the future and want to rely on the insight and expertise of the community to expand our offerings. We are looking for volunteers to help us coordinate new games, crafts, wellness and intergenerational opportunities. If you are interested please contact us at 970-264-2167.

Kitchen and Desk Volunteers Needed
The Community Cafe at the Pagosa Senior Center is requesting volunteers to help with greeting customers. Please call or text us at 970-264-2167 to volunteer or for more information.

ASI Board of Directors has multiple vacant positions open for financial oversight and policy implementation for the organization and senior center staff. Terms are 3 years with an option to renew for an additional term. Potential candidates should be at least 55 years of age or older and must have a passion for adult and aging services.

Community Cafe Menu

Thursday, October 20 – Chicken Curry w/ Naan Bread, Garden Salad, Hummus, Dates, Milk.

Friday, October 21 – Vegetable Enchiladas w/ Salsa Verde, Refried Beans, Cornbread, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.

Monday, October 24 – Chicken Parmigiana w/ Spaghetti, Vegetable medley, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk, Cookie

Tuesday, October 25 – Pork Tenderloin w/ Cous-Cous, Orange Sauce, Brussel Sprouts,Garden Salad, Milk, Cottage Cheese, Peaches.

Wednesday, October 26 – Beef Spaghetti, Broccoli, Garlic Bread, Garden Salad, Milk, Fruit.

Thursday, October 27 – Crispy Baked Catfish w/ Tartar Sauce, Sweet Potatoes. Garden Salad, Milk, Strawberry-Rhubarb Cobbler.

Friday, October 28 – Pasta Primavera w/ Alfredo Sauce, Focaccia Bread, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk, Carrot Cake.

Meals on Wheels
We deliver fresh Meals on Wheels five days a week (and provide frozen Meals on Wheels for weekends) to homebound Archuleta County residents. Call or text us at 970-264-2167.

ASI has an immediate monetary need to support ongoing operations and programming that provide critical services to some of the most vulnerable in Archuleta County. Please consider donating to Archuleta Seniors Inc. You may mail your donation to PO BOX 3444, Pagosa Springs CO 81147 or please visit our website: http://www.psseniors.org/. Donation checks can be written to: Archuleta Seniors, Inc. We are located at 451 Hot Springs Blvd., in downtown Pagosa Springs.

Rosa Chavez

Rose Chavez is Executive Director for Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and Public Health Consultant at Archuleta Food System/Food Equity Coalition.