Van Service coming for Town of Niagara seniors

Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, June 21, 2007

Niagara County Legislator Dan Sklarski, left, and Town of Niagara Councilman Charles Teixeira worked with the Office for the Aging to secure van transportation for Town of Niagara Seniors.

Town of Niagara Councilman Charles Teixeira reported at Tuesday’s Town Board meeting that the a van service in the town will provide senior citizens with a ride to and from the Senior Nutrition Program at the Community Center.

The Senior Nutrition Program is open to all Niagara County seniors aged 60 and over.

Teixeira said Niagara County Legislator Dan Sklarski, and Office for the Aging Director Chris Richbart were instrumental in making the service a reality.

With the program, seniors can eat a hot lunch and take part in informational and educational programming between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. from Tuesday through Thursday each week. Residents may call Sue Kotlarz at the Community Center at 297-5243, Ext. 201.

Residents are advised to sign up ahead of time so the the program directors know how much food to order and may either stop in or call to make a reservation. There is also a suggested donation of $2.50, which is collected anonymously. Participants are encouraged to give since all proceeds go back into the program, but no senior is ever turned away because of inability to pay.

Also, the Office for the Aging operates a wheelchair accessible van to take seniors to and from necessary medical appointments. Teixeira said a two-week advance notice is requested and seats are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Like the nutrition program, there is a small suggested donation for using the van service. All proceeds go back into the program, and no one is turned away based on inability to pay.

If interested, call head van driver and transportation coordinator Jennifer Schumacher at the Niagara County Office for the Aging 438-4038.