Two-minute impact
Executive Director Chris Smith took the reins of the foundation in August 2024, after a storied career in education. Smith’s priorities when taking the position were to support the New Braunfels senior population further and continue to provide resources to the age group, as previously reported by Community Impact.
Since taking over, new challenges have come up, including a loss of funding, even before a monthlong government shutdown. The tightening of the foundation’s belt led CCSCF to shrink its footprint, one affected program being Meals on Wheels. Where the foundation once served mobile meals to other cities outside of Comal County, the focus has now been narrowed to strengthening support for seniors in New Braunfels, Smith said.
“We've kind of shrunk the footprint, but we've strengthened the organization,” Smith said. “I think we were just too far spread out as an organization.”
The foundation previously contracted Meals on Wheels San Antonio as its premier provider of mobile meals to seniors, but has since shifted to a local provider, Selrico Services, to cut costs and provide higher-quality meals to seniors the foundation serves, Smith said.
The mobile meals program is primarily funded by the federal Older Americans Act, dispersed through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Alamo Area Council of Governments. The foundation is reimbursed for the meals delivered, causing a waitlist, but what was once a list of over 200 has since been lowered to less than 30 seniors after the shift, Smith said.
Senior loneliness and isolation was another priority listed by Smith, hoping to give seniors a place to go, allowing those who may otherwise be at home all day a place to drive to, eat, do puzzles, socialize and more, Smith said.
What they offer
The foundation offers fitness classes, free meals at the foundation’s 710 Center, located at 710 Landa St., for seniors 50 years or older, according to the foundation’s website.
Seniors are required to have a membership to take advantage of the activity center, which starts at $60 per year, or $5 per month. The fitness membership costs $40 a month. Membership grants seniors access to craft classes and groups, card games, bingo, a pool and other activities, according to the website.
For seniors 60 and over, the foundation offers free congregate meals Monday through Friday. Community members under 60 are also welcome but are required to pay a $6 fee for the meal, according to the website.
The foundation is also working to make connections with local educational providers to prevent Comal County’s aging population from being the target of scams, which can also be linked back to combating isolation in the senior community, Smith said.
“I've had multiple people come to me saying that their parent has been scammed. And I think, again, that goes along with the isolation. Sometimes, the only people that talk to them are the scammers, and it's sad how that happens,” Smith said.
How to help
The foundation is always accepting cash donations, but those who would like to give time as a volunteer are invited to either visit the 710 Center or fill out the volunteer application online.
CCSCF also holds fundraising events throughout the year.
