In-person dining resumes at Apollo Senior Center

The lunch bunch is back at the Apollo Senior Center.

In-person dining for seniors resumed on March 1 after the pandemic forced a closure of the dining room for more than 10 months.

The center, located inside the Oak Hill Apollo Hose Company No. 3 in Apollo, is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, the federal Older Americans Act, Armstrong County Area Agency on Aging and private donations.

Manager Carole Harland said it’s great to see familiar faces back in her dining room, and she’s hopeful new faces will appear.

“We welcome anyone over 60 years of age. We have people come here from Leechburg, Apollo and other areas,” Harland said.

She said daily attendance averages around 20 diners.

Hot lunches are offered weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The suggested donation is $1.50, but she said the center won’t turn away anyone for nonpayment.

Chris Kostiuk of Kiski Township said the lunch program has a bit of stigma that needs to disappear.

“A lot of people think that it’s only for those who need a handout, or they don’t even know that it exists,” Kostiuk said. “Alerting the public to the value of this facility would be beneficial.”

Jennie Hoffman, 91, of Parks Township, plans to dine daily as she had before the center closed because of the pandemic.

“I’m very happy I get to visit,” Hoffman said. “I like people. It hurt when it closed.”

Hoffman, like many of her lunching companions, lives alone.

Take-out lunches are an option, but Harland said most people prefer dining in.

Dianne Baer, 88, of Kiski Township, said the meal is more than just food.

“We’re like a family up here,” Baer said. “Everyone cares for everyone here.”

Upon arrival, diners have their temperature checked at the door and social distancing is required.

Susan McGaughey, 74, of North Apollo, has been lunching at the center for a decade.

“It’s a part of my weekly routine and I like the social element,” McGaughey said.

Harland said when covid-19 restrictions relax further, she will bring back after-lunch activities.

“We’ve had a ventriloquist and visits by Elvis and Frank Sinatra impersonators,” Harland said. “Usually we have an entertainment component.”