Senior Services

The Grand River Multi-Purpose Center has been in operation since 1974 and has become a fixture of the community. GRMPC was called "The Senior Center" until its move from the 55 & GO (formerly RSVP) office to its current location at 607 W. Business Highway 36 (near Taco Bell, China Garden and the former Wal-Mart store) in 2010. Center administrator is Cindy Ireland. In February, 2015, the Grand River Multi-Purpose Center announced a fundraising project to purchase the building. The center now operates under the umbrella of the Concerned Citizens for the Community Inc. Board, which allows them to be considered a non-profit organization and be Tax Exempt. If you'd like to donate to GRMPC, call (660) 646-1555 for details.

GRMPC has become a popular place for elders to gather and engage in numerous activities together. There are daily exercise classes at 9:30 a.m., line dance classes on Tuesdays at 1 p.m., bridge lessons on Tuesdays at 1 p.m., Friday night dances, card parties, Bingo held twice a month, computers with internet access, Memories in the Making (Alzheimer's Painters) on Wednesdays at 10 a.m., Stroke of the Brush (painting group) Mondays at 1 p.m., Internet Cafe and library / book exchange, pitch parties twice a year, a homemade pie raffle held every Friday at lunch, karaoke, gift corner and jigsaw puzzles available. There is also a pool table, treadmill, card games and board games for seniors to utilize.

CT Photo 02/11/15 / Brittany Tutt

One of the most utilized and important services the center has available is the meal offerings for senior citizens. The center has been offering congregate meals daily Monday through Friday since its start in 1974. They serve an average of 100 senior citizens at lunch each day. During the fiscal year of 2014 (July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014) they served 20,260 meals inside GRMPC. These hot meals are prepared in an approved kitchen, meeting USDA requirements. They are free to persons 60 years old or older and that senior citizen's spouse no matter their age. Persons under the age of 60 can eat as well but will be required to pay full price ($6.35). Though the meal is free to seniors, voluntary donations are accepted.

By Catherine Stortz Ripley, Constitution-Tribune, March 21, 2013

Also, in addition to free hot lunches inside the building, the center also offers free daily home-delivered meals Monday through Friday to individuals who are homebound. The home delivered meals program began in 1993. In fiscal year 2014, the center served 5,098 hot meals and 823 frozen meals. There were 2,779 frozen meals delivered to Medicaid clients and 3,960 hot meals were delivered to Medicaid clients as well. These delivered meals are prepared and packaged daily by the center's kitchen and are special diet friendly meals. They are delivered by volunteers. GRMPC home delivered meals' service area is Livingston County. They currently deliver to about 50 clients within the Chillicothe city limits and three clients in rural areas of Ludlow, Dawn and Utica daily. GRMPC can deliver meals to anyone in Livingston County that meet the criteria required (such as being 60 years of age and being homebound). There are currently 27 volunteer home delivery drivers, 12 kitchen volunteers and nine front desk volunteers who rotate shifts to accomplish this service. The Nutrition Center helped serve 32,920 meals in the 2014 fiscal year to senior citizens.

Not only does GRMPC provide entertainment and fun for senior citizens, it provides a lot of useful services for them as well. Some of the center's services available to persons of 60 years of age or older are: blood pressure and blood sugar checks performed by health professionals on Mondays before lunch, free legal advice through the Missouri Senior's Legal helpline, assistance with Medicare Part D, income tax preparation, Drug Take Back Program, AARP Tax-Aide Program, AARP Safe Driving Course, Rehabilitation Services for the Blind and flu and tetanus shots periodically throughout the year. There are also meeting rooms available that are oftentimes utilized by groups, such as, Kiwanis, Red Hatters, American Legion Women's Auxiliary, Bridge Players, 55 & Go (formerly RSVP), OATS, Concerned Citizens for the Community, Advisory Council, Livingston County Foundation Council, Chapter T of the PEO, an PAR (Provide a Ride).

The Grand River Multi-Purpose Center was announced the Station of the Year at the 2011 RSVP Banquet.

C-T Photo / Drew Van Dyke / June 7, 2011