Every year, the Amarillo Area Foundation hosts the Panhandle Gives event that begins on the Monday before Thanksgiving and ends on Giving Tuesday, the global day of giving. This year the dates are November 23 through December 1.
During this event, local non-profit organizations are eligible to participate and all donations made to the organization through the Panhandle Gives campaign are amplified.
One of the many organizations participating in the event is the Pampa Senior Citizens Center, an establishment where folks of all ages can come and enjoy a hot, made-in-house lunch and members 55 and over can take advantage of the perks the Senior Center has to offer, including discounted lunches.
Originally started by Altrusa in 1956, the Senior Citizens Club spent about 20 years as a get-together at the Lovett Memorial Library, but as membership grew, so did the need for a bigger venue.
In February of 1975, the current location, which had formerly been a grocery store, opened its doors and the rest is history.
Pampa Senior Citizens Center opened its doors with the overall mission being to give the elderly who live independently a place to come for a hot meal, to socialize and make new friends, while also providing a sense of routine and familiarity for those with mental vulnerabilities.
“The purpose of the Center was for the senior citizens to have a place where they could go to play games and have a good meal with friends and have fellowship,” said Director Teresa Dalrymple.
The Center would become a place of routine and familiarity, playing a major role in many of the members’ lives and well-being.
“Routine has a lot to do with it. There are some people that if they didn’t have this place, they wouldn’t know what to do. There would be no place for them to meet friends or see anyone and it would be really hard on them, because that’s what a lot of them do. This is just their place to go.”
The Senior Center also serves as a meeting place for other non-profit organizations and clubs, such as the Top ‘O Texas Republican Women, Rotary Club, and the Quilter’s Guild just to name a few. They host Bingo the first Tuesday night of every month in partnership with the Meredith Court, and it’s not uncommon to see a full house on those fun-filled nights.
Through the Panhandle Gives event, the funds would go directly to the operation of the Senior Center to allow it to continue to be the beloved hub that it is.
Teresa wants to reiterate that everyone of all ages are welcome to a hot lunch Monday through Friday from 10:45 AM to 1 PM-$10 for nonmembers, $9 for members and always $8 for veterans and first responders. Lunches include a choice between two different meats, two servings of vegetables, one trip to the salad bar, your choice of bread, a drink and desserts with sugar free options. Carryout and delivery are always available.
For more information, call 806-669-7414, or to view their weekly menu, visit their Facebook page, Pampa Texas Senior Citizen Center.
For more information about how you can donate during the Panhandle Gives campaign starting November 23, visit their website, panhandlegives.org.
