As people age, life changes. For a lot of senior citizens in Warren County, getting older can mean a rise in health issues, less money, family that has moved away.It also can be harder to put together meals for themselves. Senior citizens may have a hard time staying active and busy and they can encounter loneliness, too.These issues and more are being addressed by the Warren County Council on Aging and its programs. The Warren County Senior Center in Warrenton offers meals and activities during the weekdays, and the Meals on Wheels program delivers meals to homebound senior citizens.“We get random phone calls simply because they don’t know who else to call. Whatever we can do to make things easier on them, we try,” said Lindsey Boehle, executive director.For Delores Horan, 72, coming to the Warren County Senior Center, “Gives me something to look forward to.”If she didn’t stop in, she would be sitting at home.Horan, of Warrenton, like a lot of seniors, lives alone. Some days she joins friends and they run errands. Sometimes she stays at home, but on Tuesdays and Thursdays, it’s bingo at the Warren County Senior Center, and that’s where she likes to be.Other days, clients play pinochle or join in on a fitness program. And every weekday, lunch is served starting at 11:30 a.m.Horan said the food is so good some people come in for it every day. Her favorite is the meatloaf.The Warren County Senior Center is located at 501 Ashland Ave. in Warrenton. Visitors shouldn’t fear getting lost because the building is small, but also because once inside, many clients will speak up to offer directions. The main areas are an administrative office, an activities room and kitchen.As a nonprofit, it operates with one full-time staff member, Boehle, and three part-time staff members who work in the center. Volunteers deliver meals and help with various projects and events.Often, homebound clients may not get a lot of visitors, so they are glad to see their Meals on Wheels delivery drivers, Boehle said.The board of directors are Jerry High, chairman, Janet Meier, vice chairman, Allan Dreyer, treasurer, Patricia Eddy, secretary, Clyde Beach, Paul Lix, Laura Schneider, Duane Timmerberg and Jim Brown.Boehle said the need for senior services is rising and getting more expensive while funding is decreasing.Each day, five days a week, about 40 people come to the center to eat and about 60 meals are delivered. Boehle said the center loses about $2.86 every time they serve a meal.The center is expecting a $10,000-plus loss at the end of its fiscal year in July.“The need for our services is continual,” Boehle said. “But the community doesn’t really know who we are or what we do until someone they know needs us.”The organization is taking a new approach to fund-raising in 2017. There will be more events, a pledge drive and other ways to raise awareness about the center and the need for donations.Four years ago, someone told Horan about the senior center and she thought she would check it out. Because of health reasons, she took time off from bingo.“I missed this place and the people so bad I could hardly stand it,” she said. “When I was sick at home, they brought me food.”Horan liked that service, but she really likes going to the center.“It’s a fun place to come to,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun, and there’s a lot of nice and friendly people.”For more information about volunteer opportunities or where to make a donation, or programs and services provided by the Warren County Council on Aging call 636-456-3379.

From left, Lindsey Boehle, executive director for the Warren County Senior Center, with client Delores Horan, practicing her winning Bingo! hand. Kate Miller photo.