Nutrition Center earns accolades

The Hannibal Nutrition Center, under the direction of Debbie Catlett, was the recipient of a Community Betterment Award from the Hannibal Area Chamber of Commerce, during the 100th annual meeting and banquet on Jan. 10. Terry Sampson, executive director of the chamber, said the award “is being presented to an organization that has a tremendous presence in Hannibal and continually makes major improvements. Under the direction of the board of directors, Executive Director Debbie Catlett has coordinated and overseen these efforts. The most recent efforts include an extensive capitol campaign for a new facility.”
Plans for the facility began in April 2007 when the $1.2 million Generosity for Generations capital campaign was launched.
The new space at 219 S. 10th, is three times the size of the old center at 125 S. Sixth.
Started in 1990, the Nutrition Center served 35,000 meals to seniors both at the center and through the home delivered meal program. By 2006, that number had climbed to 115,000. Projections show more than 130,000 meals a year will be needed by 2010.
The new facility can meet those needs as well as enable the center to contract food service with other facilities.
Space and accessibility were issues at the old facility. One of the greatest things in the new building is that it is all on one level and so they don’t have to climb steps.
The goal was to make the new center a one-stop place for seniors. The facility has seating for up to 300, a small TV lounge area with a donated flat screen TV and a glossy shuffleboard table.
Accepting the award were Sarah Deien, Debbie Catlett and John Ravenscraft, representing the staff and board of directors.