Franklin County citizens once again filled their stomachs and quenched a thirst for companionship at the Multipurpose building in Mount Vernon with the welcoming of the Senior Citizen Services of Texarkana as lunch providers on Monday.
“This is hopefully a good transition,” said Franklin County Judge Scott Lee. “My biggest concern was making sure meals continued to be served.” He credited Franklin County Precinct 2 Commissioner Larkin Jumper for helping with the positive change.
The provider is taking over for Northeast Texas Opportunities, Inc. which had come under recent scrutiny of the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the considerable fraud of over $800,000. NETO currently has just under $95,000 in liquid assets and is still involved in pending law suits. Franklin County Commissioners Court unanimously voted on June 2, 2015 to give NETO until August 31, 2015 to vacate the County’s building on 208 Taylor Street in Mount Vernon and terminated the lease agreement as well as discontinuing any funding or payment of utilities following a very lengthy special called meeting. In addition, many complaints were heard prompting the current change.
Judge Lee said it was Larkin’s stent on NETO’s Board of Directors that helped discover these issues.
“Commissioner Larkin is a watchdog,” said Judge Lee. Larkin had the County’s best interest in mind. The Commissioner even donated the coffee and tea to accompany the day’s lunches.
“We are hoping everything works out…We have had to deal with lots of heartache over this ordeal,” added Judge Lee, enduring a rough eight months in office. He has faith in a thorough investigation.
The aroma of Salisbury steak with brown gravy, steaming butter noodles, Brussels spouts, sweet oranges, bread along with freshly cut garden tomatoes filled the facility at 11:30 a.m. ready for the home style service.
“We are making a good clean start. I am just thrilled,” said Diane McKinnon of the Ark-Tex Council of Governments happily, who helped with the changes bringing in Eden Leach of Senior Citizen Services and site manager Jennifer Seaton. The duo was still working out the kinks in the kitchen with the assistance of the local First Baptist Church.
Leach made sure to inform clients their organization was not in competition with NETO. This is their tenth site to open in their five county area – in which they also provide home delivered meals. They were busy reregistering participants. For the time the center is open 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
McKinnon is excited about having the nice, new facility open longer hours and also getting other activities started such as domino games like chicken foot, quilting, exercises and health programs.
“I am amazed with the turnout,” added McKinnon on the attendance numbers over 40 compared to barely a dozen with NETO.
“I stopped coming because meals were so bad and full of starch. I am hoping for healthy meals again,” said Sandy [last name withheld], a longtime client. “The best part is I don’t have to cook.”
They will be posting menus two weeks at a time and always accept donations.
“Be here and we will feed you,” invited McKinnon. “Tell your family, friends and neighbors about the meals.”