By Mindy Ragan Wood
Staff Writer
Piedmont may not have a senior center, but it has a church who cares about older people in the community.
The First United Methodist Church has been holding a Wednesday luncheon and social hour for senior citizens every week since 1992. Last week, seniors enjoyed a hot lunch, fellowship and a gift exchange with Santa.
Founder Evelyn Musell said she is one of the few who have been attending since it began.
“We have about 30 to 40 each week,” she said. “We had been doing it at the school cafeteria and one summer I was asked if I could fix it so we could eat here. I talked to the pastor and he said yes as long as I took care of it. It’s all volunteer.”
The food is funded through donations from the church and there is a $4 charge per person. Five volunteers work in the kitchen and two more make calls to get a head-count so they know how much food to prepare.
“We don’t want any government help because we don’t want them telling us what we can do,” Munsell said.
The Piedmont Fire Department comes out every week to do blood pressure checks.
The chief perk for seniors is the fellowship. Joe Morgan lost his wife last February. The couple attended the luncheon each week and he has carried on.
“I’ve always been a real people person,” Morgan said. “I enjoy meeting new people and the food is really good. I just enjoy it.”
Glen Bray runs his own tree stump removal service and said it has been good for business and for he and his wife Linda.
“I’m a member of the Piedmont (Area) Veteran’s Association and I’m always out here trying to recruit vets,” he said. “I enjoy meeting people. We have a good time.”
