Collin County Committee on Aging

The mission is to combat isolation and promote the health, dignity and independence of those 60 years or older through nutrition, education for caregivers and a transit system for all citizens

Description:
Volunteers for Meals On Wheels serve nutritious meals to senior citizens who might otherwise be malnourished and deprived of social contact. When there is a concern about the condition of a senior or a senior is unexpectedly not home, volunteers alert the agency. A caseworker then calls emergency family numbers and finally the police. This provides an important safety net for seniors who might otherwise be isolated during the day.

Caregiver Support serves the needs of caregivers who find themselves responsible for the well being of a loved one. Many caregivers feel overwhelmed and ill equipped to deal with the demands of caregiving. The caregiver support staff matches the needs of the caregiver with appropriate resources.

CCART(Collin County Area Regional Transit) provided transportation to 87,000 passengers this past year. Senior passengers used this transportation for appointments, shopping, and to attend events at seven area Senior Centers. Access to transportation eases the isolation of seniors who are no longer able to drive.

CCART is also available for the general public as a regional transit system. Several fixed routes travel through McKinney each day. By having reliable transportation citizens can stay connected to the community and remain productive.

History:
The Collin County Committee on Aging was organized and incorporated in December 1976 as a non-profit 501(c)(3), charitable organization. The purpose of this was to seek federal funding available through the Older Americans Act established in 1965 to promote better nutrition for adults 60+ and also to provide needed support services.

Senior nutrition programs began in March 1977 with the opening of three centers located in Farmersville, McKinney and Plano. Today Plano,Blue Ridge, Westminster, Prosper, Frisco, Celina, Anna, Melissa, Princeton, Prosper and Allen are also served.

Transportation was made available in July 1977 with the purchase of three vans. Funding from federal sources provided 75% of revenue and local resources completed the needs for 100 meals served five days per week. Today, an average of over 800 meals per day are provided to agency clients in Collin County.

The McKinney home office contains a central kitchen, where meals are prepared for delivery to area senior centers and for Meals On Wheels home delivery. The CCART (Collin County Area Regional Transit), Senior Services Division and Silver Threads Community Store also share this space.

Contact people:

Lara Kitchens, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Donna Lee, Program Director, (phone), (email) Marilyn Stidham, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (972) 562-0308

Address:

600 North Tennessee McKinney, TX 75069 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.cccoaweb.org

Directions:

Exit I-75N east onto Hwy 380 (University Drive), turn right onto University Drive and go 1.4 mile to Tennessee Street (5th light) and turn right onto Tennessee Street and go approx 7/10 mile to site on east side of road.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: CCART,   Walk distance (in minutes): 0

Last updated on September 22, 2009