Support Sr. Cub Center Sept. 8

BY GINA KEATING | EDITOR

A private donor challenged Olney residents to give to the Olney Senior Cub Center during its Texoma Gives fund drive on Sept. 8, offering to double contributions up to $10,000.

Large and small contributions are welcome, and will help the Center establish a new program aimed at helping feed low-income clients who are not covered by other state-funded programs like Meals on Wheels, said Cub Center Director Angela Lockard. “I am trying to create a program for clients who cannot afford to pay for their meals but won’t otherwise be covered by the two funding agencies that we go through,” Ms. Lockard said. “That would be called the Low-Income Nutritional Program. We don’t have any fundraiser or public awareness that this is already going on and there is a need to have this filled.” This program serves about 300 meals per month to an average of 14 indigent clients, she said.

“I expect that number to nearly double next year because of inflation,” Ms. Lockard said. “I talked to a lady who said she had to choose between gas for her car and food, and another who had to choose between their medications and food. Inflation is really bad right now, as we are all aware. When you are on a fixed income those are the types of decisions they are facing right now.”

Supporters can make donations to the Cub Center on Sept. 8 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. for the Texoma Gives online fundraiser at texomagives.org. The Center also collects suggested contributions of $4 for seniors and $6 for others during its weekday lunch service. It takes an average of 25 people dining per day to help the Center break even; now it averages about 12 diners per day, she said.

“Every time people eat there, they are contributing to the center,” Ms. Lockard said.