Smiling elderly woman in a black-and-white striped outfit and headband, serving food in a community kitchen, holding a blue tray with corn, mashed potatoes, fried chicken, and dessert pieces.
Carolyn McGowan is among the senior citizens enjoying lunch daily at the Webb City Senior Citizens Center.

Webb City Cafe continues to provide meals at senior citizens center


Bob Foos

Four older adults stand in a commercial kitchen, chatting near a stainless steel prep table with a bowl of chopped vegetables and bags of supplies nearby.
April Cloyd (in yellow), the former center manager, came in Monday to teach volunteers how to serve meals properly.

“Webb City Cafe deserves a big pat on the back,” City Administrator Carl Francis reported on Monday to the Webb City Council.

Owner Maria Sanchez offered to supply the meals temporarily after the Area Agency on Aging stopped serving meals at the center on April 10.

However, the center’s advisory board learned Wednesday morning that Sanchez has agreed to continue serving the meals indefinitely. It’s possible, too, that more menu items will be added.

The meals are open to the public, especially those 60 and older, who are asked to donate $5 if they can. Reservations, called in by 9:30 a.m. each day, are required to give Sanchez an idea of how much food to prepare. The phone number is (417) 673-6294.

Word is spreading that the meals are good, and the number of diners each day is growing gradually. Volunteers are bringing side dishes and dessert.

Advisory board committees are working on increasing the number of activities at the center. 

Community room with round tables, black chairs, a bookshelf, a potted plant, and a whiteboard menu under a 'Practice Kindness' sign.
These are the meals that have been served the past two weeks. (Same menu both weeks.)