Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

COLUMBUS—Last Friday morning, Polk County Senior Services hosted a free Community Resource Fair at the Meeting Place, located at 75 Carmel Lane. The event provided valuable information about local services for seniors and their families.

Attendees at the fair engaged in various activities, including health screenings, giveaways, and fun games. The highlight of the event was the abundance of information and resources provided by various charity organizations, government services, and businesses from across the area.

Lindsey Edwards, from NC Co-Op Extension, was present, offering a display of healthy recipes and various services offered by the Co-Op, located directly behind the Meeting Place. Rosa Aguirre, a dedicated Meeting Place volunteer and an agent at Keller Williams, also provided valuable real estate information at her table. AdventHealth Polk was represented by Kandra Cunningham, the program director for their senior life solutions. 

THRIVE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals facing mental health and housing challenges, hosted a booth, and Krystal Toney represented LaurelHurst Senior Living. Polk County Sheriff’s Department officers distributed information on preventing scams and shared valuable safety tips, while Ericka Jaeger and Crystal Watkins represented the Housing Assistance Corporation, a nonprofit committed to providing safe and affordable housing for individuals with limited income.

Other organizations present were Meals on Wheels, Comfort Keepers, Saluda Living in Place, Isothermal Community College, AARP, Polk Baptist Association, White Oak, Autumn Care of Saluda, Four Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, Polk County Public Libraries, Salvation Army, Foothills Regional Commission, Pisgah Legal Services, Thermal Belth Outreach, FENCE, Thermal Belt Habitat for Humanity, and Steps of Hope.

A complimentary hamburger lunch was served at the event. 

While the Community Resource Fair was a one-day event and a big success, many of the same organizations work with the Meeting Place all year long.