The Saline County Commission on Aging (COA) will celebrate its 41st anniversary during lunch Thursday (March 12, 2015) at the Salina Senior Center, 245 N. Ninth.

Anniversary cake will be served during lunch, which will is scheduled for 11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m. The cost is $4.50 per person for the hot meal or salad bar. The hot meal that day will include Swiss steak, mashed Potatoes w/choice of gravy, Scandinavian blend vegetables, chef’s cake, and wheat bread.

Created on a trial basis in 1973, the Saline County Commission on Aging was formally established by Saline County Commission Resolution No. 672 on March 12, 1974. Later that same year, in August 1974, Saline County voters approved up to 1 mill to be used for the COA. The following summer, the Saline County Commission approved a 99-year lease of the old courthouse at 245 N Ninth to the COA to be used for senior programs and services. Today that facility is known as the Salina Senior Center. The COA also operates Salina Meals On Wheels out of the Salina Senior Center.

The COA is a legal entity of Saline County that grew out of grassroots effort and has continued to operate like a grassroots nonprofit organization in many respects. It has its own administrative structure and is governed by a 12-member Board of Directors. The COA receives funding from Saline County, but also relies heavily on donations, government subsidies, and grants.
The COA’s Salina Senior Center offers a variety of activities to promote mental and physical wellbeing, as well as provide much needed socialization outlets for senior citizens. The Salina Senior Center also serves quality, nutritious lunches at an affordable price on weekdays. While preparing lunch, the kitchen staff also prepares the hot lunches for Salina Meals On Wheels. Additionally, the kitchen staff prepares frozen meals that are available to both Salina Meals On Wheels customers for weekend use and others who want a healthy, affordable meal but don’t want to or cannot cook for themselves.

For more information about the Saline County Commission on Aging or its many programs, please call 785-827-9818 or go to www.salinecoa.org.