Faribault Buckham West Curbside Pickup Meals are a Hit

Mona Kaiser, Executive Director of Buckham West stopped by KDHL for today's AM Minnesota program.  Buckham West is Faribault's facility for senior citizens to enjoy.  Kaiser says the building has been closed to the public for the most part.

Some groups and services have been brought back and over the next couple of months the plan is to bring more back.  Of course what happens with the pandemic will dictate whether that occurs.

Fashions on Central in downtown Faribault is the primary funding source for Buckham West.  The store features clean, used clothing and accessories.  Store hours have been changed to Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Donations are only being accepted on Mondays.  An appointment must be made to drop off your donation.  The phone number is 334-9242.  They are requesting you bring a maximum of two bags of clothes at a time.

Kaiser says of the curbside meal pickup, "We have a great core group of people and then we have some other people that pick and choose based on the menu.  Kind of what's been happening in our dining room.  We will have between 20 and 30 people picking up every day. We also have the Meals on Wheels food coming out of our kitchen.  I'm proud of the fact that Buckham West is a partner in keeping these people fed and that we can help in some way."

I asked the Buckham Center Executive Director if the curbside service might continue after COVID-19 is over.

She replied, "The piece that's lacking that the Area Agency on Aging is going to have to figure out is the socialization.  The congregate meal is, the nutrition is the key piece but along with that is the socialization that people gain.  So are they willing to let that socialization go?  The congregate program has been talked about for a long time because tomorrow's retirees, it's not foreseen that they'll use that model."

Kaiser admits, "The curbside makes it kind of slick for people.  So is the congregate going to make it through?  It remains to be seen.   Maybe it'll be a hybrid.  Are people (baby boomers) willing to come.  The menu is different then what a lot of people are looking for.  The menu is the mashed potatoes and gravy sort of thing for the most part.  They do some lighter meals too but is that what the baby boomers are looking for."

Kaiser is appreciative a number of their members have continued to support Buckham West even when they haven' been unable to use the building.  She says the Board of Directors will be discussing what to do about memberships which run during the calendar year.

Another coffee party in Central Park takes place 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, September 10, 2020.  There is plenty of room to have social distancing.  Bring your own lawn chair and coffee mug and they will provide the coffee.

A couple of free classes are being held with instructors participating virtually.  These classes cover Medicare Basics and Estate and Will Advice.  They will be held in October.

More information is available on the Buckham West website.