A spry senior volunteer, Mrs. Goldie Michalovich, serves a lunch for the Butler-Clear Fork Nutrition Program at the nicely renovated senior center in Butler recently.

THERE IS A FREE LUNCH AFTER ALL—

More or less, there is.

Recently I’ve become acquainted with and welcomed to the Butler-Clear Fork Nutrition Program which last year provided 19,250 meals, largely to seniors at the nicely renovated adult center on Henry St. in Butler and through a daily, meals-on-wheels program.

With about 3,250 breakfasts annually, each Wednesday, and other special programs an average of 65 to 70 meals each day are served.

Participants may make a donation but that is not necessary.

The program is funded from a real estate levy which generates about $65,000 annually. They also receive approximately $10,000 annually from the county United Way program and an average of $15,000 yearly in donations.

D’Wisenbarger, program coordinator, explains they have been serving meals since 1989 under a block grant originally funded by the Richland County Commissioners and contributions.

Since 1998 the levy approved by voters in both Jefferson and Worthington Townships has continued to support the program for seniors and people with special needs in both townships.

While the program operates out of the Butler facility it does serve citizens throughout the valley and is run by volunteers. The adult center building was opened in August of 1997 and the nutrition program began operating out of there in October that year.

I already am in the habit of reading the weekly menu for the program in the Bellville Star and marking those days on my calendar when their yummy offerings rattle my culinary preferences.

Today I had ham and scalloped corn. Wednesday it’s going to be beef and noodles with a dessert and Thursday I will enjoy meatloaf and potatoes. Ahhh.

I knew the place was special when on my very first visit I learned the nice, senior volunteer lady who served the table (Mrs. Michalovich pictured above) was a very young 92 years of age.

I felt like borrowing her smock and proposing she take an honored seat at the head of the table so I could serve her.

But, she probably would have smacked me a good one for such impertinence.

_______________________________________________

The levy renewal is on the ballot today in both townships and its approval will continue to cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $21 per year. It’s easy to spend that much per meal in a fancy Mansfield restaurant.