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Bringing back senior lunches on Fridays has been a priority ever since the Town of Chino Valley had to make some tough budget cuts. Last Friday, that goal was achieved, thanks to the efforts of the Chino Valley Foundation for Seniors, Inc. (CVFS) and many, many volunteers in the community.

Harvey Jones, the Chair of CVFS, explained in an email last week, "You may be aware the Town was forced to reduce its services to our Seniors. Friday lunches are no longer being offered. Many senior citizens in our community rely on lunches provided at the Senior Center. This Foundation will start with reinstituting the Friday Lunch program and grow from there."

"Seniors are the backbone of any Community," continued Jones. "And we have grand plans for supporting our local treasures. Our plans, quite honestly, will be limited only by the depth of volunteers we can garner.”

But even Jones seemed surprised to see the turnout last Friday, November 13. Historically, when the Town still offered Friday lunches, about 25 or so would show up. But, last week, the Senior Center was filled to overflowing, and they ran out of the 100 tickets they had printed out. When asked if he was pleased at the turnout, Jones only had time for a wide smile and a quick, "Very happy, very happy," before being called away.

Chino Valley Councilwoman Linda Hatch, who is also a part of the CVFS, explained, "We did this to help the Seniors in the town. It started with Harvey having the idea that we needed to replace Friday meals, but our plans are much grander than that. We hope to serve the needs of seniors.We developed it, we have a lot of contributions from the community - both volunteer and then our restaurants. And a lot of the service organizations have donated both money and time. And everybody's pitching in to help the seniors in town. And the Friday lunches are just the beginning. This was a need. Seniors need to get together and have an opportunity to have the $4 lunch. That's why we started it."

Ab Jackson, the CEO of the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce spoke about what Friday lunches mean to the community. "Lynne what happened was, we faced major budget challenges in the Town. Budgets had to be cut, we had to evaluate where were the most practical places to do it, and frankly, we chose an impractical place. A place where many seniors get their only meal of the day, and maybe their only social time here at the Senior Center. So, the Town in their wisdom talked to some of the people in the community. An effort was spearheaded by Harvey Jones, who was the former Chair of the Senior Center, and Harvey decided to put together a group of us, a coalition, to try to restore the Friday meal. And this is the kickoff of the restoration of the Friday meal."

"We've got local restaurants in town who are in here to serve," Jackson pointed out. "We've got CD's Restaurant and Casa Grande, and Bonnfire. It's great to have them here, it's great to have as many seniors as we have, the place is totally full. And this is Chino Valley coming together to take care of our Seniors. None of the dollars come from town coffers, we're doing it all as a community. We have service clubs - the Lions, the Rotary, the Elks are here enmasse. It's a great day for Chino Valley. Harvey Jones is sort of the spear-header of this activity, he's joined by a number of people from our community, he's got a good crew. What we're trying to do is continue this. Every week, we'll go to the businesses and say, 'Will you help us continue to supply a meal for the seniors?' Rotary, we pledged a number of dollars the last week, and Lions, we did the same thing, so we're going to take care of our seniors in Chino Valley."

Ed Steinback is the treasurer for CVFS, gave further evidence of the effort the community in Chino Vally has put forth, "Actually, we've been very fortunate. We've had wonderful support from the community vendors. CD's Cattle Company, Bonnfire Grill and Casa Grande are all donating their food today. It's a tremendous effort. It's really a grass roots movement because all these different vendors have come together, and have either donated their services or are giving us the food at cost, and we've been able to pass that on and keep the $4 price the same for the seniors. We're not making any profit at all, whatever we take in, goes directly back to the vendors for providing for the food and the services. And it goes to underwrite the cost of operating the foundation."

When asked if the Foundation was required to pay rent for the facilities, he shook his head. "The Town has a provision for non-profits not to pay for the Center, which is wonderful, so it's really a true partnership all the way around."

To add to the festivities for the day, the Prescott Playboys band was on hand to keep the event lively. And the Seniors had happy smiles on their faces - one couple took the time to dance, even as they stood in line to get their food.

Clearly, for the seniors this was more than simply food to keep going. This was an opportunity to socialize and spend a few precious moments together.

Marci YBarra said, "I think it's good. I'm glad they brought it back on. Well, I used to volunteer here, but then I got sick and left. We always had a real nice crowd that enjoyed it. And I enjoyed coming to help. I'm glad they brought it back."

"It's just to get together with all these people and have a good chattin' day," Harry Pelliccione, Sr. said with a grin. "I'm just a kid, but I want to get out here with the old folks. I'm just an 86 year old kid."

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