Affordable meals, growing impact at Bollinger County Nutrition Center

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

BOLLINGER COUNTY, Mo. (KBSI) — As grocery and restaurant prices continue to rise, one Bollinger County organization is working to make sure no one in the community goes without a warm, homecooked meal.

At the Bollinger County Nutrition Center located in Marble Hill, meals cost just $4 for seniors 60 or older and $7 for those under 60. A price Center Administrator Amanda Lindley says is made possible through government support and a commitment to serving others.

“Our mission is to provide affordable meals for our community,” Lindley said. “A lot of people come in and say, ‘$4? No way.’ And they get a full, home-cooked meal.”

Each day begins early in the kitchen, where a team of cooks prepares meals from scratch. That meal includes choice of 2 entrees, sides, dessert and drink.

“We have cooks here at 7 a.m. making things like meatloaf, chicken and dumplings and fried chicken — those home-cooked meals people love,” Lindley said.

The center serves dozens of people daily, often reaching more than 100 meals when including home deliveries.

“We served 93 people yesterday, and that doesn’t even include about 40 homebound individuals we deliver meals to,” she said. “Some days, we even run out of food.”

While many who visit are seniors, Lindley said the center is open to anyone — something she hopes more people in the community realize.

“There’s a misconception that this is just for seniors,” she said. “We invite anybody and everybody.”

Beyond the meals, the center also serves as a place for connection, where regulars gather each morning for coffee, conversation and companionship.

“People come in around 10:30, have coffee or tea, and just sit and talk,” Lindley said. “There’s a lot of joking around — it’s a community.”

For Lindley, the impact goes far beyond the food.

“Some of these people might not have a nutritious meal otherwise,” she said. “Some of these people might not have a nutritious meal, so offering a $4 meal — it makes me happy… it makes me happy to see them happy.”

For more information call (573-238-2809) or check their Facebook where they post menus daily- Bollinger County Nutrition Center