KTSM News – El Paso County to celebrate 50th anniversary of Senior Nutrition Program

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)– El Paso County is celebrating a major milestone as its Senior Nutrition Program is reaching its 50th anniversary.

Since 1974, El Paso County has been helping senior citizens across El Paso get at least one meal a day.

There are 16 centers across El Paso County where people ages 60 and older can go to have a nutritious meal.

“We serve about 12,000 of those meals a month and an additional 39,000 delivered to people’s homes for those who can’t drive or there’s an impediment where they can’t get to these centers,” County Commissioner Carlos Leon said.

The commissioner also said there is a need for the program now more than ever, especially in recent years after the COVID-19 pandemic, rising grocery prices and inflation.

“It’s driving people to go to food banks but yet a lot go to our centers and it gives them a place to socially interact with people their age and have a great meal,” Leon said.

El Paso County’s Community Services Department oversees the nutrition program. The program director, Rosalva Hernandez, said this program would not be what it is today without the partnership with the City of El Paso and a private vendor.

“We are hoping to one day have our own kitchen,” Hernandez said. “Right now we have a great partnership with our City of El Paso, we know that the one we are in right now is at one of the centers in the Segundo Barrio, downtown. That is where the magic happens, but we’re growing and we need a larger facility. Hopefully in five years from now we can have our own kitchen,” Hernandez said.

The meals provided must follow a one-third required dietary allowance noon-time meal. That includes a macro nutrition system with protein, carbs, vegetables and milk, all planned by a licensed nutritionist.

“A popular meal right now is the chile relleno,” Hernandez said.

Ten of the 16 senior centers providing meals are within El Paso City limits. The locations part of the program include:

Carolina located at 563 N. Carolina

Eastside located at 3200 Fierro Dr.

Pavo Real located at 9311 Alameda

Grandview located at 3134 Jefferson

Hilos de Plata located at 4451 Delta Dr.

Memorial Center located at 1800 Byron

Southside located at 600 S. Ochoa

Wellington Chew located at 4430 Maxwell

Polly Harris (westside) located at 650 Wallenberg

San Juan located at 5701 Tamburo