Seniors depend on the Habersham County Senior Center every day for social support and basic necessities. Leaders say that finding enough volunteers to meet the increased demand for services like food and transportation is their biggest concern.
Feeding seniors in need
More than 4,400 meals were delivered to homebound seniors by Habersham County’s Meals on Wheels program in just the past month. Along with providing additional food supplies and on-site meals, the Senior Center distributed 193 boxes in July and collaborated with partners to distribute over 1,800 boxes of fresh meats, vegetables, and dairy products, as well as 480 boxes of dry goods.At the monthly county commission meeting on August 18, 2025, Habersham County Senior Center Director Kathy Holcomb informs commissioners of the needs and accomplishments of her department. (Image from a livestream)
At the August 18 meeting of county commissioners, Kathy Holcomb, director of the Senior Center, stated, “We ensure that all individuals with food insecurity are receiving the nutrient-dense foods they require every single day.”
Making sure elderly eat isn’t the only problem, though. With 20% of its population over 60 experiencing food insecurity, Georgia is one of the top 10 states for seniors experiencing food insecurity. Of those, 31% have disabilities, 10.7% are impoverished, and over half are women.
Approximately 25 to 30 percent of our clientele reside in those low-income regions. According to staff, many of them have no family or friends around to support them. Thus, a greater portion of our labor has evolved into social work. We are filling voids in addition to providing meals.
Rising demand for transportation
Another urgent necessity is transportation. Last month, the program made 1,820 trips; last year, it made 22,000 journeys. Seniors depend on the service for basic mobility, food shopping, and doctor’s appointments.
About 48 seniors use our bus, but we receive a lot of calls from those who need transportation to the doctor, Holcomb said. Senior Center transportation is only available to people 60 years of age and older.
This year, Holcomb intended to grow the program.
We’re surviving through it, she said commissioners, adding that she had planned to get her part-time driver promoted to full-time, but the budget cuts prevented that from happening. We rely on volunteers to help us survive.
Currently, three volunteers from the Senior Center drive elderly people to appointments outside of town, including those in Gainesville and Toccoa. They receive payment for their gas.
A call for volunteers
Staff claim that without community support, none of the wellness programs, events, and activities offered by the Habersham County Senior Center would be successful.
Holcomb underlined that Meals on Wheels volunteers are our greatest need. Having enough personnel to make those deliveries is a daily struggle for us. We frequently have to hurry outside and complete the task on our own.
Along with food and transportation, the program links elders to health care, energy aid, rent and water help, eyeglasses, dental care, SNAP benefits, and other resources. Seniors have benefited from home repairs, ramps, and other necessary services thanks to collaborations with organizations like Legacy Link, Ninth District Opportunity, and Sharing & Caring.
Upcoming events
Additionally, there will be opportunities for community members to assist local seniors through forthcoming events:
- Aug. 21 Farmer s Market with Legacy Link
- Sept. 4 Labor Day Cookout and End of Summer Bash
- Oct. 3 Giving Harvest fundraiser at Arrow s Farm, 5 8:30 p.m. ($50 per ticket). Featured speakers include representatives from Meals on Wheels and the food bank.
- Nov. 14 15 Christmas Bazaar at the senior center
- Nov. 19 Thanksgiving celebration
- Dec. 11 Christmas party
Holcomb stated that they are dedicated to providing each senior with dignity, respect, and love in spite of financial limitations and tremendous demand.
“For them, this center is like a second home,” she said. We keep moving forward because of this, but we can’t do it by ourselves.
Anyone interested in helping with transportation or volunteering for Meals on Wheels is urged to call the county Senior Center at 706-839-0260.
