EL PASO, Texas ( KTSM )– El Paso County is celebrating a major milestone as its Senior Nutrition Program is reaching its 50th anniversary.
Since 1974, El Paso County has been helping senior citizens across El Paso get at least one meal a day.
There are 16 centers across El Paso County where people ages 60 and older can go to have a nutritious meal.
“We serve about 12,000 of those meals a month and an additional 39,000 delivered to people’s homes for those who can’t drive or there’s an impediment where they can’t get to these centers,” County Commissioner Carlos Leon said.
The commissioner also said there is a need for the program now more than ever, especially in recent years after the COVID-19 pandemic, rising grocery prices and inflation.
“It’s driving people to go to food banks but yet a lot go to our centers and it gives them a place to socially interact with people their age and have a great meal,” Leon said.
El Paso County’s Community Services Department oversees the nutrition program. The program director, Rosalva Hernandez, said this program would not be what it is today without the partnership with the City of El Paso and a private vendor.