Beshear praises Glasgow community at senior center opening
The new center expands a senior program that already serves about 250 meals each week and provides fitness classes for about 100 seniors each day.
GLASGOW, Ky. — A new senior center at the Barren County Family YMCA is now open, providing a dedicated space for classes, meals and other activities for older adults.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear visited the YMCA Tuesday to celebrate the opening of the Paul and Kelly Walker Senior Center, which opened to the public about three weeks ago.
The nearly 2,800-square-foot addition at the back of the YMCA was funded in part by a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant. The YMCA board raised another $225,000 toward the project.
“Today is so much more than just a ribbon cutting. It represents years of planning, partnerships, and a shared vision to create a space that will serve our seniors, while providing new opportunities for our entire community,” said CEO Tara Bailey.
The new center expands a senior program that already serves about 250 meals each week and provides fitness classes for about 100 seniors each day.
Beshear said Tuesday marked his third visit to the YMCA for an announcement, saying the repeated visits highlight the organization’s impact on the community.
“Seniors in Barren County have poured their hearts into this community,” Beshear said. “They are the shoulders upon which we stand. Y’all have found a very special way to show how much you care about them.”
“This is how we take care of people who spent their lives taking care of us,” Beshear said.
Beshear also addressed federal cuts to SNAP funding, connecting the issue of hunger to his faith and the state’s efforts to provide meals to seniors.
The YMCA serves 250 meals each week at no cost to seniors.
“To me, fighting hunger is an issue of faith,” Beshear said. “As governor, I’ve provided more money to senior meals than any other in our history. We need to do more.”
“We know that without SNAP benefits, so many across this country, and so many across this Commonwealth, would not have enough to eat,” Beshear said.
The governor said he was proud to see the community united around the YMCA’s mission and said he believed the nation could learn from that example.
“If you look around, and I wish America could see this, this is a tight-knit community working together, celebrating with each other about helping members of the community to move forward,” Beshear said.
The governor also visited a pharmaceutical industry facility while in Glasgow, as well as the Glasgow Preschool Academy, which participates in Kentucky’s Pre-K for All initiative.
