Center continues as hub for county’s seniors even though culture of socialization has changed
BY Becky Uehling
GRANT TRIBUNE Correspondent
Since the 1980s, the building at 420 Central in Grant has served one purpose—to provide a place where the needs of Perkins County’s senior citizens are met. That purpose continues today, even though the culture of senior socialization has changed.
“When I first started (14 years ago) we always had a pool game or a card game going on nearly every day,” said Perkins County Senior Services Executive Director Trish Jimenez. “That doesn’t happen very much now.”
As the older Baby Boomers pass and the younger Boomers become the primary clients of the center, the culture of socialization for the county’s seniors has changed, Jimenez said. Instead of congregating in person at the center for in-person socializing, many of the young Boomers can now be found on social media connecting with others, Jimenez said.
“The younger Boomers all have cell phones and are content with being at home in their chairs on their phones, computers or watching TV,” Jimenez said.
Although the center is a little quieter these days, the essential services the center provides haven’t changed much, she said.
From providing workout equipment free-of-charge for seniors to use, to providing discounted daily meals, to mini-bus services, and hosting such activities as game nights, volunteer options and exercise classes, the Center is a place for seniors to gather to continue to keep up their social, mental, and physical health. And, Jimenez said, it’s not just for seniors.
“Anyone is welcome to come and eat or take part in our classes and activities,” she said.
Included with salad bar, drink, and dessert, the daily entre includes such options as meatloaf, chicken-fried-chicken, spaghetti, pork chops, chicken wings, goulash, taco salad and much more. Carry-out and delivery are also offered to anyone, and transportation to the center is provided with the county’s mini-bus service. Those wanting to eat are asked to RSVP by 10 a.m. the day of, with the meal served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“It is very informal,” Jimenez said. “It used to be a more formal atmosphere with reserved seating and announcements given at the same time each day, but now anyone can come and go, pick where they sit, and come and go as they please.”
Beyond encouraging more people to come and take part in the meals and events at the center, Jimenez reminds the public that they can also rent the center for events for a small charge.
The 60x140 square foot building was just updated earlier in 2025 with new interior paint, flooring, table, and chairs. It also has a full kitchen that renters can utilize, along with clean and easily accessible bathrooms. “We just need a reservation for the rental of the building ahead of time,” said.
Much of the updates to the center in 2025 were made possible from funding from Immanuel Vision Foundation, Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation and locally through the Perkins County Community Foundation Fund along with private donations, Jimenez said
At the about the same time of the updates, the former Grant Bowl building to the south of the center collapsed in high wind. That collapse caused damage to the center’s south wall, which has mostly been fixed, Jimenez said. The collapse of that building also lead City of Grant to purchase the lot and turn it into parking, which has been a God-send, said Jimenez.
“There have been times in the past where seniors have commented they wanted to come in and eat but couldn’t because there were no parking spots available,” she said. “But the lot has changed that.”
Funding for the center comes from many sources, including governmental and private, but the main source comes from the center’s own thrift shop, which brings in more than 30 percent of the funds needed yearly to run the center.
“We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the thrift shop,” Jimenez said.
Run by all volunteers, the thrift shop has become quite popular throughout Perkins County and the surrounding area. The seasonal change-over from spring/summer to fall/winter has just occurred and Jimenez encourages people to come and take a look at the wide-variety of items available. The hours of the shop are Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the first Saturday of every month 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The shop is closed on Mondays.
Every year in June the center holds an appreciation supper for the many volunteers who serve the shop and center. This year, Cindy Salsman was the top volunteer with 430.5 hours with Rhonda Lawyer coming in second with 332.5 hours. Jimenez encourages everyone to consider volunteering at the center.
Some upcoming activities for the center include Soup Sunday Fundraisers on September 28th and October 26th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; how to cook with squash on September 25 from 1-3 p.m.(RSVP requested); senior exercise class every Thursday at 10:30 a.m.; and Bunco every Friday before lunch. Other events include Bingo, Stepping On fall prevention class and Bingo Size fall prevention classes, plus others. The center also hosts a senior meal in Venango every Tuesday at 12 noon. RSVP is requested by 10 a.m. the day before for the Venango meal. Please visit the Perkins County Senior Center’s page at https://pcsenior.org/ for more information and to see activities for October. Those with questions can call Jimenez at 308-352-4236 or email her at pcsenior@gpcom.net.