$1.4M grant boosts senior food service in Carlsbad
The Alejandro Ruiz Senior Center and the senior nutritional meals program will benefit from more than $1.4 million in state funds after the Carlsbad City Council approved an agreement with the state Dec. 12.
Both agreements were part of general bond obligation legislation passed in 2022 by the New Mexico Legislature.
House Bill (HB) 153 passed the New Mexico House 66-2 and 37-0 in the New Mexico Senate and was signed March 9, 2022 by Gov. Michele Lujan Grisham, according to the New Mexico Legislature’s website.
The legislation set aside $1.3 million for renovations at the Alejandro Ruiz Senior Center and $162,000 for vehicles and associated equipment for meals provided by the center, read the legislative website.
Grant will fund sprinkler system, classroom additions
City of Carlsbad Municipal Services Director Angie Barrios-Testa said the money would be used for the second phase of renovations at the former Pate Elementary School, which was converted to a senior center by the City.
The City of Carlsbad acquired the property from Carlsbad Municipal Schools (CMS) nearly five years ago. The new senior center opened in 2022 after initial renovations concluded.
“We are almost complete with phase two,” she said. “Phase three includes renovations of existing rooms to be converted to support and expand senior programs.”
More: Senior citizens activities return to Eddy County after COVID-19 pandemic pauses
In a memorandum to councilors, she said additional restrooms, a fire sprinkler system and fire detection system are part of the phase three plans.
Through November of this year 11,000 Carlsbad area senior citizens used the services provided at the senior center, according to data from the City of Carlsbad.
New food transportation 'vital' for senior citizens
Barrios-Testa said the new vehicles allow the Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation (SNMCAC) to deliver hot and cold food while ensuring proper temperature regulation for transportation to homebound residents in Carlsbad and Eddy County.
SNMCAC provides meals at the Alejandro Ruiz Senior Center and home delivered meals for senior citizens, read the organizations website.
More: Extra space and new equipment awaits Carlsbad senior citizens at new senior center
According to the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) website, congregate and home bound meals are important for senior citizens.
“Home delivered meals are to clients who are homebound and unable to prepare their own meals and have no caregiver at home to prepare meals for them,” cited the ALTSD website.
SNMCAC’s website stated well-balanced meals meet one-third of the daily food requirements for senior citizens.
More than 16,000 meals were prepared for senior citizens through November of this year, read City of Carlsbad figures.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Carlsbad senior center improves senior food services with state grant
