NEWBERRY — “Old is Ok,” that is the motto, and attitude, of the employees and clients at The Newberry County Council on Aging. For the past 47 years they have been providing services to Newberry County’s elderly population.

One of the largest efforts supported by the Council on Aging is the congregate and home delivered meals program. Nearly 100 men and women come to the congregate centers at one of three Newberry County locations. In addition to receiving meals, they also have the opportunity to fellowship and grow friendships with others attending the center.

In addition to the congregate centers, every single day around 150 clients receive home delivered meals from the center. In order to make all this possible, there are dedicated volunteers who donate their time and resources to package and deliver these meals throughout the Newberry community.

Nutrition Program Director Shannon Longshore has been overseeing the home delivered meals and congregate center meals for over 19 years and has loved every second of it.

“Helping to feed the seniors in our county who are needy and have no family to assist them, and being involved in an organization who is committed to advocating for seniors in our county is really rewarding,” she said.

In addition to providing meals, the Council on Aging also provides home care to the elderly who need help with everyday task such as cleaning. They also facilitate an Adult Day Care which cares for adults with special needs and disabilities. While at the center they enjoy programs, crafts and fellowship.

The County Council on Aging also provides medical transportation for people of all ages. This assists a large portion of people in the community who do not have reliable transportation for important medical appointments.

Mildred Hale is a long time client and supporter of the Council on Aging. For 20 years she has been attending and volunteering with the program. She described it as “a privilege to be able to come to the center, it’s just wonderful.”

Throughout her time there she, like many other clients, has met a constant stream of new faces and interacted with people she never would have met if it were not for the services provided by the Council on Aging.

If you would like to donate or volunteer you can contact the agency at (803) 276-8266.

Kenley Longshore for The Newberry Observer

Kenley Longshore is a student at Newberry College.