Winter woes have returned for the Rocky Mountain Development Council, which has once again put a pause on the Boulder Daily Dinner Club which served warm meals at the Boulder-Basin Senior Center three days a week.
The Rocky Mountain Development Council, locally known as “the Rocky” or the RMDC, is a federally funded organization which focuses on improving the quality of life, especially for those of low-income in the tri-counties. Accomplishing this mission includes offering nutrition services to senior citizens in the form of Meals on Wheels and the Boulder Daily Dinner Club.
Mirroring events of last winter, staff shortages have put the dinner club on hold.
The club’s former on-site cook and Meals on Wheels delivery driver Josh Manning resigned in September after stepping into the position in April, and the Rocky has yet to receive any applications.
But the RMDC hasn’t given up on providing their services.
“We’re still in the community, serving hungry seniors or homebound people,” said Mindy Diehl, the Rocky’s senior nutrition and transportation director.
The organization’s Meals on Wheels program route in Boulder is currently being filled by the RMDC’s senior nutrition manager. Meals on Wheels provides at least one fresh meal to those who qualify, with the option to have six frozen meals delivered at the same time.
As soon as the Rocky hires a new cook, Diehl said, the Boulder Daily Dinner Club’s services will resume as normal – after an orientation.
“Our goal is to have it up and running as soon as possible,” she said.
Although the staffing shortage has been a repetitive issue in Boulder, Diehl said it’s not an issue exclusive to the area.
“I’m sure it’s not unique to Boulder. It’s a national crisis with staffing,” she said. But the labor shortage has not impacted the Rocky significantly.
Having an on-site chef helped improve the club’s attendance, Diehl said, noting that prior to hiring Manning weekly attendance was between one to four guests. Offering the service three days a week developed some consistency, encouraging more visitors, she said.
Those interested in applying can find the application at rmdc.net or contact Diehl at (406) 447-1680.
