Three days a week at the Jefferson County Community and Senior Center in Madras, something simple and important happens: people eat together. The center's Meals for Seniors program — held at noon every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday — has become a fixture of community life for older adults across Jefferson County, offering not just nutrition but connection.
The program is supported through a partnership between the Senior Center and the Council on Aging of Central Oregon, which enables a range of vital services including Meals on Wheels home delivery, community dining, and Medicare counseling. Together, these services form a safety net that allows many older Jefferson County residents to remain independent longer.
Who the Program Serves
The community dining program is open to all seniors. A suggested donation of $5 is requested for participants 60 and older; those under 60 are asked for $6. No one is turned away for inability to pay. The program particularly serves older adults who live alone, those with limited mobility, and seniors on fixed incomes for whom a hot meal may otherwise be difficult to access.
For many participants, the midday gathering is also the most social part of their day. Studies consistently show that social isolation is one of the leading contributors to cognitive decline and poor health outcomes among older adults — and regular community meals address that directly.
Meals on Wheels: Reaching Those Who Can't Come In
For seniors who cannot travel to the center, the Council on Aging offers Meals on Wheels delivery to Jefferson County homes. Volunteer drivers deliver hot meals and provide a welfare check — often the only in-person contact some homebound seniors receive on a given day.
Medicare Counseling Available
The Senior Center's partnership with the Council on Aging also provides access to free, unbiased Medicare counseling through the SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) program. Trained volunteers help seniors navigate plan choices, understand their benefits, and resolve billing issues — a service that can save participants hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually.
How to Get Involved
The Jefferson County Community and Senior Center is located at 860 SW Madison Street in Madras. For information about the senior meal program, call 541-475-1148. Volunteer drivers for Meals on Wheels are also needed — contact the Council on Aging of Central Oregon to learn about opportunities.