Editor’s note: This is the sixth in a multi-part series highlighting the needs of area non-profit agencies during the holiday season.

NATCHEZ — Sometimes, older folks just need to get out of the house.

Other times, caretakers need that same respite.

And at the Natchez Senior Citizens Multipurpose Center, that opportunity is offered for both.

For seniors who are mobile and willing, the center offers exercise and aquatic programs, opportunities to volunteer and even educational opportunities.

Those educational opportunities range from health-related learning and computer classes to late-in-life literacy education.

For those who maybe need a little help during the day, the center offers adult day care and nutritional programs. Those programs include meals served on site and delivered meals for the homebound.

The goal of the senior center is to enhance the lives of the seniors it serves on a day-to-day basis, operations director Carla Monroe said.

“Everybody needs a little help now and then, and seniors often face more of those challenges than others,” Monroe said.

“This is a place for them to come and not have to think about those obstacles they have and just enjoy other seniors their age, to socialize, do some activities to help with their motor skills or play bingo to help their minds. It is a great program that inspires them, uplifts them and gives them some motivation that will give them something to think about what they are going to do day-to-day.”

The center — operated under the auspices of the Natchez-Adams Council on Aging — also provides transportation for seniors who don’t have it during the week, and will transport seniors who need it on Saturdays by request.

“If they have to go out of town for medical reasons, they can schedule that through the (Natchez) transit system, but we have a program to assist them with funds to get to their appointments,” Monroe said. “It helps cut the cost that they have to pay.”

The center serves approximately 400 seniors on a day-to-day basis, she said.

While the center aims to help those who financially challenged, disabled or older than 60, the center provides services to the general public.

The center needs volunteers, donations of money or food goods and old-fashioned word-of-mouth about their services, Monroe said.

“We need the seniors to hear more about us, to hear about everything that we do,” she said.

“If they come and we provide services for them, the funds will be there for them, but if (seniors) don’t come we don’t get those funds,” Monroe said.

Many of the activities there are free of charge, but donations to the Natchez-Adams Council on Aging or the United Way of the Miss-Lou are appreciated. Checks to the United Way can be designated for the Natchez-Adams County Council on Aging.

Donations of money or goods can also be made onsite.

The center, located at 800 Washington St., is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact the center at 601-442-5082.

 

How you can help:  The Natchez Senior Citizens Multipurpose Center provides activities, food services and transportation to approximately 400 seniors on a daily basis. Volunteers, money or goods donations along with simple word-of-mouth spreading about their services are welcome.

Donations can be made onsite or mailed to 800 Washington St. The United Way also accepts donations on behalf of the center.