DOWNIEVILLE — Last week’s article, titled “Senior Lunch Has Strong 2023,” made some inaccurate claims about Downieville’s Senior Lunch. First, the article misstated the organization that donated $5000 to the program. The correct organization is Sierra Western Food Bank, Inc. The second inaccurate claim concerned the program’s origin and duration. While Senior Lunch was put on hold for nearly two years due to the pandemic and restarted in 2021, the service has been ongoing for roughly 40 years. I had the opportunity to sit down with Greg Johnson and Joyce White, the current and former Lunch Coordinators, respectively, to discuss the history of Senior Lunch.

The Golden Rays Senior Citizens of Sierra County began Senior Lunch with bag lunches served downstairs of the North Yuba River Hall, where the Downieville Library is currently located. Arlene Monjar was the original Lunch Coordinator, serving in that role for decades until retiring. Joyce White then filled the position for many years before recently passing the torch to Greg Johnson.

During Monjar’s stint, Senior Lunch transferred from the Golden Rays to the Western Sierra Residential Center, an organization that hoped to provide comprehensive care and housing for Sierra County seniors. The building they purchased, located across from the Downieville Tennis Court, became Senior Lunch’s well-known long-time home.

Due to numerous financial and logistical issues (not relating to the Senior Lunch program), the Western Sierra Residential Center was forced to close its doors and sell its property less than ten years ago. At that time, Golden Rays stepped in to retake control of Senior Lunch, moving it to the Downieville Community Hall, where it continues today.

Finally, Johnson and White stressed that the service has always been, and continues to be, a fully volunteer-staffed operation. All cooks volunteer their time, being reimbursed only for ingredient costs. Volunteers are the key to Senior Lunch’s longevity and success, and the program would not be possible in its current form without them. Johnson and White expressed deep appreciation for long-time volunteers past and present, including Loryce Ashby (a dedicated volunteer for decades), Anne Berardi, Linda & Jack Marshall, Sandy Loving, and many others.

Senior Lunch is always looking for volunteers and donations to continue its valuable community service. In addition to feeding attendees, it provides meals every Tuesday to seniors who can’t make it to the Community Hall. Almost as important is the social gathering opportunity the program offers. Johnson and White are thankful for all the volunteers, donations, weekly attendees, and events that donate leftover food.

Senior Lunch will be ready to serve Sierra County’s hungry seniors and many more on Tuesday at noon, as it has been for nearly half a century.