NEW WHEELS — Through the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services, the Brooke County Committee on Aging has received a new van in which to transport food to seniors and shut-ins in Brooke and Hancock counties. With the van are, from left, Darla Cheripko, director of the group’s senior nutrition program, and drivers Ronald Jones and Henry Smith. (Contributed photo)

FOLLANSBEE — Residents of Brooke and Hancock counties who find themselves financially strapped for food might be eligible for assistance through two programs offered by the Brooke County Committee on Aging.

Angela Kocher, the group’s executive director, said state officials have extended the West Virginia Strong Summer Food Assistance Program until Sept. 30.

The program was launched in August to provide food for residents in each county who are 60 or older and spouses, children and disabled adults living with them.

The program is within an umbrella of efforts initiated by the governor’s office in response to financial difficulties imposed by the pandemic.

Through it, any residents in financial need who meet the above criteria may can up boxes of food on a weekly basis at the Brooke County Senior Center.

Because visitors to the center have been limited by the coronavirus, the boxes are brought to participants’ vehicles outside.

Kocher noted the program isn’t available to anyone who already is receiving food through another program.

Under the direction of Darla Cheripko, the committee’s Brooke-Hancock Senior Nutrition Program provides more than 4,000 meals each year to about 260 seniors in Brooke and Hancock counties.

Since the pandemic, the program’s in-person lunch sites have been reduced from five sites to one: The Brooke County Senior Center, where senior citizens may can pick up the food for take-out between 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

All visitors to the center must wear a mask.

Meals also are delivered to many shut-ins throughout Brooke and Hancock counties.

That aspect of the program recently received a boost in the form of a new van from the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services.

Kocher noted the Brooke County Commission also contributed $5,129 for the van, which replaces one damaged when Follansbee was flooded in 2016.

Cheripko said the new van includes additional space in which to keep the food hot or cold, a global positioning system to guide new drivers, a radio and bluetooth. She said previously the van’s drivers used their own phones to contact her.

Those interested in participating in either food program should call (304) 527-3410, ext. 103, for information.

Kocher said concerns about the virus spreading to senior citizens, who are among those most at risk of suffering severely from it, have led to activities at the senior center being temporarily suspended.

And it’s something that has been sorely missed by the center’s regulars, she said.

“Every time I see them, they ask, when are you going to open?” Kocher said.

She said to help fill that gap, she’s hoping to start Facebook bingo sessions and a pen pal program.

While details are being worked out for the bingo sessions, senior citizens interested in corresponding with other seniors can help get it started by calling ext. 107 at the above number.

Kocher said an effort will be made to match seniors who share the same interests. She noted it presents an opportunity to experience the personal expression and interaction that has been enjoyed by casual letter writers for many years in the past.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)