With November comes cooler weather and thoughts of piping hot comfort food. The Kiwanis Club of Fort Scott Pioneers stands ready to dish up some warm satisfying fare as they hold their 36th annual Chili Feed on Tuesday, November 19th at the First United Methodist Church at 301 South National in Fort Scott. A meal of the Pioneers’ signature chili with crackers and a homemade cinnamon roll will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. for a free will donation (suggested minimum $8.00 donation per meal) to be collected at the door.
This is the Kiwanis Pioneers’ major fundraiser for the year. In keeping with the Kiwanis motto of “Improving the world one child and one community at a time”, the Pioneers support more than 40 community projects including College scholarships, CASA, the Backpack food program, FSHS Key Club, Head Start, the Beacon, Foster Kids, Feeding Families in his Name, Care to Share, and school reading and arts programs. “All of the funds raised stay in Bourbon County” stated Kiwanis Pioneer President Kelley Collins.
“The annual fundraiser will be drive through only.” according to Collins. Pick-ups will be available under the canopy on the National Avenue side of the church. Please take care not to block private driveways as you are waiting in line for service.
Deliveries will be available for orders of ten or more by calling 620-224-0563 during serving hours.
A group picture from the Girard’s meal site, the Beach Center Senior Center. Submitted photo.
On November 4 at 11 a.m., a new place for senior citizens to get healthy meals and an opportunity for social engagement will begin at Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Avenue, Fort Scott.
Buck Run Community Center, 735 Scott Avenue.
“60+ Nutrition Bourbon County is the name of the program,” said Kathy Brennon, Executive Director of Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging.
“We currently provide approximately 1,000 home-delivered meals a month to 72 people in Bourbon County, from Monday through Thursday,” she said. “This is generally known as Meals on Wheels, but there are other organizations that provide meals to individuals in their homes.”
The meals are cooked in the agency’s industrial kitchen in Pittsburg and transported to Fort Scott to be portioned for home delivery.
The Older American Act, OAA funding has two goals: to provide healthy meals to homebound individuals and, for those not homebound, to also provide a healthy meal and opportunities for social engagement which contributes to health and well-being, she said.
“The funding is primarily through the Older American Act which is federal funds, and also funded by the State of Kansas,” she said. “This funding has a required match which is provided with county funding and donations.”
Volunteers Are A Key Component Of The Funding
” For Fort Scott, there is only one SEKAAA paid staff, with volunteer staff doing the home delivery. Last year, volunteers provided over 2000 hours of assistance. Without these committed volunteers, the program couldn’t occur,” she said.
“Volunteers can be daily, one day a week, or whatever works for the person. Sometimes a business or church takes home- delivery as a project and commits to a specific day or week and they rotate their staff.”
“We do conduct background checks for all our volunteers. Volunteers frequently say they get so much out of the experience and typically people are so grateful. If someone is interested in volunteering they can call 620-305-1539 for more information.”
The Target Participants
“The target participant is individuals 60 and older. The spouse of the participant, regardless of age, and individuals less than 60 years of age with a disability, who reside in the home with and accompany a participant are also eligible to participate.”
If interested, the person must make a reservation by calling 620-305-1539.
Why this service?
“I started at SEKAAA as executive director in 2021,” she said. “I had a vague knowledge of the nutrition program but did not realize how important it was to the participants. We were coming off the COVID restrictions, in which we were slowly opening our meal sites. Social isolation and poverty is an identified concern for the elderly in the nine-county area, Allen, Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson, Woodson.”
“Veivek Murthy, US Surgeon General reports that there is significant health concerns associated with loneliness. He reports that the health impact of social isolation is similar to what is caused by smoking 15 cigarettes a day.”
“Home delivery is a very important service we provide, but we also believe that people meeting together for a healthy meal and seeing and making friends is also important. In our surveys of the congregate program, 35.6% of our participants eat alone. America’s Health Ranking reports that nearly 10% of Kansans age 60 and over face the threat of hunger. Murthy’s Social Connection Advisory reports that studies have shown that socially connected people live longer and are typically healthier. We at SEKAAA made it a goal to promote social connections whenever possible.”
“In Bourbon County over 26% of the population is over the age of 60 and it is anticipated it will continue to grow,” she said. “This program helps us meet our organization’s mission of helping people age their way, by having resources in place to keep people in their communities healthy and safe as long as possible.”
“There is a requested donation of $2 per meal, but no one is denied a meal. We do accept SNAP (foodstamps), she said.
The Fort Scott Chamber announces the Annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat Parade!!!
SPONSORS NEEDED!
The past couple of years the attendance has been growing for the Downtown Trick-or-Treat parade with 600+ kids in attendance! At the end of the parade, we serve a slice of Papa Don’s pizza and a drink to each child who is in costume. We have been very thankful for the gracious donations from you all in the past!
If your business is interested in making a donation, please contact us! Click here to email us or call the
Chamber at 620-223-3566.
We will accept monetary donations or other items such as pop, juices, or bottled water.
Saturday, October 26, 2024 @ 11:00 AM
10-11am: Halloween photo backdrop for pictures with your own camera.
Face painting will be offered by the Fort Scott High School Pride and Thespian Clubs!
11am: Parade will start at La Hacienda, down the west side of Main Street to 2nd, then back down the east side of Main Street to Skubitz Plaza.
Following parade: A slice of pizza and a drink will be served to the kids in costume provided through the generous donation of local businesses!
__________
***Businesses along Main Street will be handing out candy during the parade, and businesses not on Main Street as well as any community organizations are welcome to set up a table along Main to pass out candy, coupons, promo items, etc.***
Please email the Chamber if your business or organization will be passing out candy so we
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Chamber After-hours Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting to celebrate Outpost 13 West, Thursday, October 17th, from 5:15 to 6:30pm. The new restaurant is located in the Downtown Historic District at 13 W. Oak St. where the celebratory remarks and cutting of the ribbon will take place at 5:30pm.
The Bowman family is deeply rooted in Downtown and the restaurant business, owning NuGrille and Brickstreet BBQ, and is excited to present the new Outpost 13 West featuring Southwest cuisine where you design your own tacos, burrito, nacho, salad, or bowl. The business officially opened on September 23rd and this Ribbon Cutting event will officially celebrate the opening with the community.
John and Cindy Bowman purchased the building for Outpost 13 West in 2021 and started refurbishing the property. The building dates back to 1862 and was originally a livery and feed stable. The Bowman’s son Alex and his wife Carissa are part owners in the restaurant along with John and Cindy. The Bowman’s feel the new restaurant has been well received in the community and people have seemed to really enjoy the food and experience. For more information and updates on Outpost 13 West, follow their Facebook page and other social media.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Chamber After-hours Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting to celebrate Outpost 13 West, Thursday, October 17th, from 5:15 to 6:30pm. The new restaurant is located in the Downtown Historic District at 13 W. Oak St. where the celebratory remarks and cutting of the ribbon will take place at 5:30pm.
The Bowman family is deeply rooted in Downtown and the restaurant business, owning NuGrille and Brickstreet BBQ, and is excited to present the new Outpost 13 West featuring Southwest cuisine where you design your own tacos, burrito, nacho, salad, or bowl. The business officially opened on September 23rd and this Ribbon Cutting event will officially celebrate the opening with the community.
John and Cindy Bowman purchased the building for Outpost 13 West in 2021 and started refurbishing the property. The building dates back to 1862 and was originally a livery and feed stable. The Bowman’s son Alex and his wife Carissa are part owners in the restaurant along with John and Cindy. The Bowman’s feel the new restaurant has been well received in the community and people have seemed to really enjoy the food and experience. For more information and updates on Outpost 13 West, follow their Facebook page and other social media.
Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566 for more information. Visit the Events Calendar and category of Chamber Coffees on fortscott.com for upcoming locations.
Thank you to our Chamber Champion members shown below…
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street | Fort Scott, KS 66701 US
The Fort Scott Chamber announces the Annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat Parade!!!
SPONSORS NEEDED!
The past couple of years the attendance has been growing for the Downtown Trick-or-Treat parade with 600+ kids in attendance! At the end of the parade, we serve a slice of Papa Don’s pizza and a drink to each child who is in costume. We have been very thankful for the gracious donations from you all in the past!
If your business is interested in making a donation, please contact us! Click here to email us or call the
Chamber at 620-223-3566.
We will accept monetary donations or other items such as pop, juices, or bottled water.
Saturday, October 26, 2024 @ 11:00 AM
10-11am: Halloween photo backdrop for pictures with your own camera.
Face painting will be offered by the Fort Scott High School Pride and Thespian Clubs!
11am: Parade will start at La Hacienda, down the west side of Main Street to 2nd, then back down the east side of Main Street to Skubitz Plaza.
Following parade: A slice of pizza and a drink will be served to the kids in costume provided through the generous donation of local businesses!
__________
***Businesses along Main Street will be handing out candy during the parade, and businesses not on Main Street as well as any community organizations are welcome to set up a table along Main to pass out candy, coupons, promo items, etc.***
Please email the Chamber if your business or organization will be passing out candy so we
