Hill Country Senior Center reopens

It’s been one year since the center closed its doors to the public due to Covid-19.

While it continued to serve delicious homemade meals via curbside pickup, the seniors were not permitted to engage in any activities inside the center. As more and more people received vaccinations and strict reopening guidelines were developed, the center once again welcomed seniors on March 31.

“We used our down time to remodel the center and start building a new receiving warehouse for the thrift shop” said Ann Passino, Executive Director. Dripping Springs residents will all give a sigh of relief to know that the parking lot will no longer house thrift store merchandise. The warehouse will free up much needed parking space too. “We hope to get even higher quality donations now that furniture will no longer be exposed to the elements.” said Passino.

During the Senior Center’s closure, The Thrift Shop, which is the Senior Center’s main source of revenue, continued to flourish. Chris Kelley, store manager, and his assistant Joyce Scott have been wheeling and dealing with great appreciation to a handful of remarkable volunteers who stayed on even during the pandemic.

As the center geared up for reopening, the Dripping Springs Community Foundation funded a grant for the center to purchase a new ice machine. “We are extremely grateful to the Community Foundation; their grant couldn’t have come at a more perfect time,” Passino said.

The protocol for the reopening includes, limiting the number of people permitted indoors at a given time, social distancing, masks required unless eating or drinking, limiting the number of people using the exercise equipment to maintain social distancing, and sanitation guidelines. The center will be opened Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thrift Shop hours Mon-Sat 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.