East Washingtonian - Your Hometown News Source

Those who eat and enjoy the meals on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Senior Center and those who receive their Meals on Wheels, probably have no idea of all that goes on behind the scenes to make these meals possible. Though the corona virus has put an end to community meals at the center until large groups are deemed safe, meals can be picked up at the back door, providing you have called in by nine o'clock. Meals on Wheels will continue to be delivered to those who are signed up. At this writing, the Center itself is closed, but things seem to change by the hour, so stay tuned.

So, who is behind the delicious meals that are served on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays? The "Chief Cook and Bottle Washer" is Patsi Collins. Patsi has worked preparing meals at the center for the last twelve years. She grew up in Grangeville, Idaho and has lived in Pomeroy since 1984. She and husband, Jim, have two grown daughters: one living and working in North Dakota and one living and working in LaGrande, Ore. She received On the Job Training from then-cook, Joan Kay Herres. Her work experience included running a day care in her home for twelve years, working at the school and having her own cleaning service. Patsi's day begins at 5 a.m. when she arrives to begin prepping the cuisine for the day. She has federally mandated guidelines she has to follow when preparing the meals, but likes to add her own ideas to keep the meals and the guests' palates changed up.

When asked what meals seem to be the favorite of the patrons, Patsi said Chinese lunches or the special chicken-dinner lunches that are served once a month to celebrate those who are turning a year older. When asked what is the favorite part of her job, Patsi said without hesitation it is the people she cooks for and her co-workers. Her most challenging aspect of the job is trying to accommodate the likes and dislikes of all the different people while complying with the mandated guidelines. "There are only so many ways something can be cooked", she quirked.

Stephanie McKeirnan is the official site manager. Stephanie grew up in Pullman and has been in Pomeroy for fourteen years. She and husband, Shane, have three young children. Stephanie has worked at the center for ten and a half years and prior to that, worked at Pomeroy Pharmacy. She "has Patsi's back" when getting out the food gets hectic, but her main job is to handle all the paper work necessary to keep the center in compliance. Stephanie's job is to manage the intake forms for people who are new to the center and want to come to the center to eat; track mileage for the Meals on Wheels Program; take attendance for the number of weekly meals that are served; do annual reports for fire and health inspectors; conduct surveys; document education and out-reach services; do the banking; oversee the cook; make sure everyone working around food has a food handler card; seek ways to reduce expenses and insure there are advisory meetings four times a year to assess the kitchen's successes or where they could improve. Senior Center President Helen Burke, Patsi, Stephanie and interested members are involved in the quarterly assessment.

Stephanie received her training On the Job from Donna Hunt. She can also access help from the district office in Walla Walla. Her biggest challenge is to keep up with the ever-changing rules and regulations. She has specific guidelines to follow in regards to taking food to the homebound as well as following certain financial restrictions. She is required to closely adhere to the federal guidelines and budgets.

Both Patsi and Stephanie wear several different hats in the operation of the center and the meals provided. Patsi not only works at the Pomeroy Pharmacy on Tuesday and Thursdays, she uses her own time every Saturday to shop for the week's upcoming meals. Stephanie cleans the center in the evenings and both share the responsibility of being delivery drivers, shoppers, cleaning and ordering food.

The center is government funded through the ALTC and by generous grants from the Shepherd Foundation. Donations from other community residents also help the center. A donation of $5 is suggested for those over age 60 and those 59 and under are asked to pay $7 for a meal.

When things get back to "normal", come enjoy a delicious almost-homemade meal at the center. And while you're there, give a little thanks for all the things that go on behind the scene to make it possible.