Senior Center reopens with shortened hours, kitchen out of service

By david_morris on Wed, 09/02/2026 - 15:50
  • File photo -- Members of Manna Church help serve during the Copperas Cove Senior Center’s grand opening in February. Presently the center is open reduced hours and cold meals are being provided during the week while the kitchen is undergoing repairs.
    File photo -- Members of Manna Church help serve during the Copperas Cove Senior Center’s grand opening in February. Presently the center is open reduced hours and cold meals are being provided during the week while the kitchen is undergoing repairs.

    By LYNETTE SOWELL-STEVENS

    Cove Leader-Press


     

    The Copperas Cove Senior Center reopened last week after being closed for several days during the month of August.

    First, the Senior Center was temporarily closed due to some plumbing issues, and then the Stage 4C water restrictions. The center then reopened last week on Aug. 24.

    However, there are currently issues with the kitchen, so hot meals are unable to be prepared on site at this time.

    The center is still open daily Monday through Friday and is serving cold meals on site.

    Katherine Dolson is the Food Service Manager and is the temporary acting Director of the Senior Center. Hill Country Community Action Association, which operates the center, is in the process of searching for a new director.

    Presently its kitchen onsite is out of service.

    “For our congregates that come in person I have been providing cold meals such as deli sandwiches and salads,” said Dolson.

    Last week, Manna Church from Killeen donated a hot meal catered by Chick Fil A.

    This past Friday, Dolson said the center held its monthly potluck lunch.

    As of Tuesday, Dolson did not have an estimate as to when the kitchen would be operational again.

    On Wednesday, the center held its monthly Birthday Lunch, provided by United HealthCare, and the birthday cake donated by Barbie Maier from Blue Water Home Care.

    “We are currently seeking others who wish to help sponsor our monthly birthday lunch,” Dolson added, she said the group who used to provide gift cards for the birthdays and bingo prizes for birthday bingo are no longer able to.

    The center’s Meals on Wheels program is still continuing its services while the kitchen is down.

    “For our Meals On Wheels clients, since I am not able to use my kitchen to cook a hot meal they have been receiving frozen ready-made meals,” Dolson added.

    “We are hoping that once the kitchen has been fixed that we will be able to start cooking a fresh hot meal Monday through Friday for both Meals On Wheels clients and congregates.”

    Both Dolson and the site president Myles Stillman post updates on the center’s Facebook page regarding activities and meals.

    Until the new director is in place, the senior center is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m., to 3 p.m.

    After a new director is hired, the center will resume normal hours of 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

    The Copperas Cove Senior Center is located at 2404 Walker Place Blvd.

    Lunches are served onsite at 11:30 Monday through Friday and are free for senior center members. Those nonmembers age 60-plus can dine for $3. Those wanting lunch must sign up the day before, for planning purposes.

    Those with questions or to sign up for lunch are encouraged to call the center during operating hours at 254-547-6022 or email Dolson at kdolson@hccaa.com.