The Lewis County Seniors organization is important to our community by offering both nutritional and enrichment programs in Lewis County. After county funding cuts, the Lewis County Seniors formed a 501(c)(3) organization to continue serving the vital needs of our community; including nutritional and enrichment programs.

There are tremendous benefits to supporting our Lewis County Seniors. Our seniors built and contributed so much to our community and I believe providing for their wellbeing is the right thing to do. It is also the fiscally responsible thing to do, because we know that nutritional and enrichment programs are highly effective preventative measures to maintaining the quality of life and health of our senior community.

Peter Abbarno, Centralia City Councilmember and host of AM1470 KELA’s Let’s Talk About It show.

Listen to Peter Abbarno with Col. Ron Averill, President of the Lewis County Seniors, and Glenda Forga, Executive Director of the Lewis County Seniors, on AM1470 KELA Radio.

The Lewis County Seniors organization provides two main programs:

Enrichment Programs

Simple common sense tells us that people of any age fare much better in life when they’re physically, socially, and mentally active. This is especially true when we begin to grow older, as our bodies and minds begin to lose their youthful levels of fitness and their natural healing abilities. Unfortunately, grave problems can arise if a senior citizen does not make pointed efforts to remain active in meaningful ways.

Nutrition Programs

Eating well is important for good nutrition at any age, but it is even more necessary for older adults because nutritional needs change. Adequate nutrition is necessary for health, quality of life and vitality. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, including living on a fixed income and in rural isolation, many seniors do not eat as well as they should. This can lead to poor nutrition or malnutrition.

According to Seniors Lifestyle Magazine, factors that lead to homelessness in the elderly include

• Poverty. The leading cause of homelessness in seniors is financial instability. Without the means to afford safe housing, many seniors can eventually end up living on the streets.
• Isolation. The death of a spouse can leave the remaining partner at risk of homelessness. For those who have no other family members or close friends, the depression and stress of losing their partner can mean the loss of everything for the one who remains.
• Illness. For most of the seniors who are ill and homeless, mental illness is the number one factor. Unable to take care of themselves or manage money and without anyone to help, they often end up penniless and alone.

I strongly believe the programs administered by the Lewis County Seniors will help reduce the rate of poverty and homelessness among seniors in Lewis County; help increase the social, physical, and mental wellbeing of seniors in Lewis County; and help prevent illness that could lead to prolonged and expensive medical and health care.

Peter Abbarno, Centralia City Councilmember

Second Time Around Thrift Store

You can donate even the most worn out of clothing and shoes. Even if you think the item is too worn out for another person to use, we are able to sell these items by the pound to be recycled. We don’t get very much but every little bit helps and it keeps these items out of the landfill.

Collect these items in a white plastic bag and mark it with the letters ARC, this will save us from having to sort them out, it’s a win, win for us and the community. The Store is located at 749 S. Market Blvd. in Chehalis and All proceeds help to support the Lewis County Seniors

The Thrift Store is a great place to support the seniors! You can also support the Lewis County Seniors by visiting https://lewiscountyseniors.org/