The Gardner Senior Center is Open for Programs and Services, except for weather closure and legal holidays

We ask that if you sick or showing symptoms, or have been in close proximity to someone who is sick, please practice social distancing and medical isolation until your symptoms have gone away. We are experiencing a significant surge in flu, cold, respiratory, and covid cases in our region. Stay HEALTHY!!!

CANCELLATION POLICY

We GENERALLY follow the Gardner Public Schools cancellation policy during adverse weather conditions such as snow or ice. If school is cancelled, or in person learning is changed to on-line/virtual classes, then the Senior Center will be closed. However, the Center may open on days canceled by the schools for extreme temperature. We always advise you to check here, FACEBOOK, or contact the Gardner Senior Center for up to date cancellation announcements by choosing option 1 on  our phone messaging system.

Did you Know?

The Gardner Senior Center partners with a whole host of local community organizations and agencies dedicated to serving our senior population! Come on in and see what we have going on!

 Click the link below to see our video!

https://youtu.be/U4v74WyNaMM

1. Senior Centers have become one of the most widely used services among America's older adults. Nearly 11,000 senior centers serve 1 million older adults every day.
   1. The Gardner Senior Center delivered over 3,290 programs in FY2025
   2. There were over 16,000 program hours delivered at the Gardner Senior Center
   3. The average weekly attendance exceeded 600 individuals
   4. The Gardner Senior Center hosted more evening programs in FY 2025 than in FY2024 including workshops on insurance, dance lessons, craft events and support groups
2. Approximately 70% of senior center participants are women; half of them live alone.
3. Compared with their peers, senior center participants have higher levels of health, social interaction, and life satisfaction and lower levels of income.
   1. Research shows that older adults who participate in senior center programs can learn to manage and delay the onset of chronic disease and experience measurable improvements in their physical, social, spiritual, emotional, mental, and economic wellbeing.
4. The average age of participants is 75. 
5. 75% of participants visit their center 1 to 3 times per week. They spend an average of 3.3 hours per visit.
6. In 2024, over 430 seniors were enrolled in the senior buy-in, collectively saving them $965,000 annually. In addition, seniors saved substantial money on co-pays and deductibles on their health care, hospitalization and prescription drugs as a result of being enrolled in the Senior Buy In Program
7. In FY2024, the Gardner Senior Center had over 950 volunteers provided over $250,000 worth of volunteer time. In 2025 this number dropped to just over 750 volunteers, but total hours jumped to over 23,000 (value of $384,000)
8. Over 40 seniors were enrolled through the Gardner Senior Center in the low income subsidy, saving them over $136,000 of insurance premiums
9. The Gardner Senior Center's Housing Assistance provided by our partners RCAP enrolled more than 30 seniors in RAFT- giving them $210,00 of housing aid
10. The Gardner Senior Center distributed over $15,000 of Farmer's Market Coupon (thank you MOC for our partnership) in 2024 and 2025 to area seniors, and provides congregate meals and food assistance 4x per week.
11. The Gardner Senior Center enrolled more than 50 seniors and eligible individuals in the SNAP/HIP programs providing an annual benefit to this group of over $134,000. Thank you Jess and HOPE!
12. Over $22,000 of tax preparation services are provided annually through the Gardner Senior Center to seniors and other eligible individuals in partnership with AARP Tax Foundation
13. More than 350 people participated in the Thanksgiving Meal, over 450 in the Christmas Meal, and the St. Patrick's Day Dinner max'd out in record time. These events and programs were done in partnership with a great group of committed organizations, business and people. 
14. Connected more than 40 veterans with the City's VSO which provided over $84,000 of benefits annually to this group
15. Provided over $50,000 of medical transportation to area seniors (thank you CAC)
16. Recycled 3.16 tons of paper, 1000 lbs of electronics and over 12,600 lbs (yes, 12,600) of textiles- Thank you CMRK, EL Harvey, Raw Materials, AARP Chapter 3237, and the Gardner Board of Health
17. Provides a safe, clean, comfortable and enjoyable environment for seniors and other residents during climate emergency such as extreme cold weather or heat waves

WE ARE GATHERING AGAIN FOR IN HOUSE/IN PERSON MEALS. COME JOIN US MONDAY, TUESDAY AND THURSDAY FOR LUNCH. We can't wait to see you. Please call the center 24 hours in advance at 978-630-4067 extension 6 or 978-632-1330 to reserve your seat today!!

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