Ellinwood Hospital to Begin Preparing Meals for Local Senior Programs May 4

ELLINWOOD, Kan. — Beginning May 4, Ellinwood Hospital & Clinic will take over preparation of meals for the Ellinwood Heritage Senior Center, bringing both Meals on Wheels and Friendship Meals closer to home for the local community.

The change eliminates the need for daily trips to Great Bend, where meals were previously prepared through Eldercare. Volunteers had been responsible for picking up meals each morning and transporting them back to Ellinwood in time for lunch service.

“Before this, we had volunteers driving to Great Bend every morning to pick up meals and get them back around 10 a.m. so we would have to keep everything warm until lunch,” said Colleen Bowman, site manager of the Ellinwood Heritage Senior Center. “Now, being able to pick them up right here in Ellinwood, closer to mealtime, makes a huge difference for our team and our volunteers.”

Under the new arrangement, meals will be prepared locally at Ellinwood Hospital, allowing for later pickup times and continuing quality meals. The shift also reduces strain on volunteers and eliminates the need for daily mileage reimbursements.

“It may seem like a small change, but it allows us to come in later, spend less time trying to keep meals warm, and focus more on serving our seniors instead of coordinating logistics,” Bowman said.

The senior center currently serves between 15 and 20 Friendship Meals daily, with attendance sometimes reaching up to 25. These meals are provided to seniors who dine at the center or pick up meals to take home. In addition, the Meals on Wheels program delivers approximately seven meals each day to homebound individuals.

“We’ve been sending Meals on Wheels out around 11 a.m. because of pickup times, but now we can deliver closer to 11:30 when people are ready to eat,” Bowman said. “That’s a better experience for everyone we serve.”

For Bowman and her team, the impact goes beyond convenience.

“Meals on Wheels is about more than just food,” she said. “For some of our homebound seniors, this is their daily check-in. We knock on the door, make sure they’re okay, and if something feels off, we follow up. It’s about making sure people are cared for.”

She emphasized that the program will continue to prioritize access for those in need.

“I refuse to put a limit on the list,” Bowman said. “If someone is homebound and needs a meal, they’re going to get a meal.”

Leaders at Ellinwood Hospital say the decision reflects a broader commitment to addressing local needs.

“We saw a need in our community and knew we had the ability to step in and help,” said Troy Moore, CEO of Ellinwood Hospital. “This is exactly the kind of role a local hospital should play - finding ways to support the people we serve beyond our walls.”

Moore added that the partnership aligns with the hospital’s mission to strengthen community health and access.

“At Ellinwood Hospital, we’re passionate about solving problems that impact our community,” he said. “When there’s an opportunity to make something better, more efficient, or more accessible - we want to be part of that solution.”

Bowman noted that the hospital has supported the program in the past, particularly during disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, making the transition a natural fit.

“The hospital has stepped in before when we needed them, and they understand how important this program is,” she said. “Having them take this on permanently is a big win for our seniors and our community.”

The Ellinwood Heritage Senior Center continues to offer Friendship Meals at the center, as well as Meals on Wheels for eligible homebound individuals. Suggested donations are $3.50 for individuals age 60 and older, with meals available to younger individuals for $7.50.

For more information about meal services or eligibility, community members are encouraged to contact the Ellinwood Heritage Senior Center directly. Monthly menus are posted on the Senior Center Facebook page and physical printed copies are available at the center for pick up.

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