The Davenport Senior Center opened its doors for business as a 501C3 State Registered Non-Profit with the goal of feeding the seniors in the community. The property was purchased by a local donor who left it in her will to purchase and establish a senior center in Davenport, Washington, located in Lincoln County.
The Davenport Senior Center has many local long-standing members from all walks of life in the area. Visitors are always welcome, as well as volunteers.
Up until two years ago, they had a food service contract through the state. The Davenport Senior Center terminated that contract due to a conflict of interest. Their current president is a retired executive chef from the Marriott hotel chain who has been cooking there for four years.
As of the past two years, they have managed their own food service program on grants and other donations from the local community. Unfortunately, as of January 12, 2023, the Senior Center has had to temporarily close its doors due to a lack of funding. Many grants have been applied, and the Senior Center is anxiously awaiting to hear if they will be the recipients of such grants.
Most seniors can afford the $6 per meal, and those who can’t are told not to worry about it. The Davenport Senior Center also partners with the local hospital and health department bringing in instructors to teach them exercises that they can do to stay healthy and other means to stay safe and healthy. There is also a blood pressure machine on-site so seniors can monitor their blood pressure. The machine is calibrated annually.
The Senior Center has been serving lunch to the community three days per week, averaging 30 people per day, including approximately 12 shut-ins who cannot get out and come to lunch. Volunteer delivery drivers pick up the meals in custom-insulated bags and deliver them to these people so they can enjoy a hot and healthy meal. They are also developing a program to deliver meals to those recently released from the hospital.
Dining at the Senior Center is a great way to get out and meet someone if you’re new in town. It’s also a great way for seniors to socialize. Currently, a group plays pinochle on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and there is always a jigsaw puzzle in the works. At one time, they had Bingo, Tea Parties, other card games, and quilting. However, as the economy tanked with the pandemic the numbers have fallen off, and funding has become a serious concern.
Davenport Senior Center also supplies a lending library of medical equipment such as walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, bedside bath accessories, a limited supply of incontinence products, and a book lending library.
The Senior Center also roasts and sells its own coffee in-house. Freshly roasted coffee is available for sale when the center is open. Being totally self-funded, they depend on local donations and grants.
If you would like to donate to help feed the local seniors and help the senior center reopen and stay open permanently, you can mail donations to:
Davenport Senior Center
PO box 1055
Davenport, WA 99122
Checks should be made payable to Davenport Senior Center. Receipts are available. You may also call and leave a message at: 509.725.7055
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