In the last year, Allen Community College has extended its outreach by providing meal service to the general public.
The school estimates that it serves around 400 lunches per week, many for senior citizens at a reduced rate.
The idea for the arrangement began with a food service employee who frequents the countys senior citizens center, said Cindy Stanberry, director of food services.
She invited me over and I played cards and talked with them. I told them the public was more than welcome to come, Stanberry said.
In addition, the college decided to continue food service year-round, rather than discontinue it during the summer months. The change has led to organizations such as Rotary and the retired teachers association conducting their noon meetings at the college.
Brian Counsil, ACC vice president for finance, said offering food service to members of the community began with the idea of providing a good meal at a reduced cost.
Cindy was able to negotiate with Great Western Dining and we are able to provide all-you-can -eat meals to seniors for $5.45 each. We have a pizza bar, a salad bar, baked potato bar, ice cream, whatever is on the menu for the day, Counsil said. This has really grown in the last few months. We dont advertise it, but it spreads by word of mouth. If anyone is going to be able to find the best deals, it is going to be senior citizens on a fixed income. And its the best value around.
The cafeteria serves three meals a day through business days, as well as brunch on Saturday and Sunday, and dinner on Sunday night.
We served 100 meals on Easter Sunday, Stanberry said. Those were not to students, those were to members of the community.
Stanberry said while students wait until 11:15 a.m. for lunch, they open earlier for senior citizens.
Donna Valentine, who has worked in the schools cafeteria for 23 years, said it was an exciting time to be working for the school.
I have worked for three companies here and have seen a lot of things, but this is the best one. I really enjoy being a part of this, Valentine said.
Certain days draw more people.
We have our regulars. We have folks that come in on specific days. They will go through our menu and mark off the days they want to come up. Steak night is a big night for us. I have one couple that loves nacho day. Hamburger day is also big, we usually serve 400 burgers. Keep in mind, they dont get just one burger, it is all you can eat, Stanberry said.
Steak night includes an 8 oz. ribeye steak with all the fixings for $7.29.
