Melba Valley Senior Center

115 Base Line Rd.

P O Box 153

Melba, ID 83641

Phone #:  208-495-2804

The Melba Senior Center has been a labor of love. In the late '80s a group of interested people got together and visited other centers, deciding that they needed a home of their own. Thus began a rash of fundraisers that would bring thousands of dollars to the cause.

 As a senior organization, The Melba Valley Senior Citizens, Inc. met for meals at the American Legion hall in Melba. Always driven for a place of their own, they approached the City to include the funding of the center in their budget. They applied once in about 1987 for a grant. They were turned down and reapplied the next year. They received a grant for $99,187. The bid for construction was $219,000. In short order, banks, businesses and individuals pledged $82,000. The value of the property it would sit on (donated by the city) was worth $25,000. That left a mere $13,000 to be raised. Needless to say, the grants were awarded, pledges were honored and with the generosity of many, the building was built in 1990.

 The Center has served as a community meeting place for large groups. It serves banquets for high school athletics, funeral dinners and anniversary and birthday celebrations. It is the voting place for county, state and national elections and much more. The seniors enjoy pinochle one night a week where anyone in the community is invited to play, and hold bingo night every other Saturday night.

 The Center offers van rides to anyone interested in attending plays and other entertainment in Nampa and Boise for a nominal fee. They have visited museums and other cultural events in nearby towns. They sponsor exercise sessions twice a week.

 The Center is open two days a week regularly on Tuesdays from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Thursdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meals are served on Tuesdays 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and Thursdays beginning at noon.

 It serves approximately 7000 senior meals each year with congregate meals and approximately 300 home delivered meals to those who are homebound. There is a monthly Foot and Blood Pressure Clinic; exercises Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m.; card parties weekly on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m.; and Bingo every other week at 7 p.m.

 The Melba Center is famous for its fine cooks and excellent meals. People come from all over the Treasure Valley to participate in the wonderful cuisine. 

They continue to hold fundraisers to support upkeep on the building and provide entertainment for the public. They co-sponsor an antique car show each year and serve a fried chicken dinner to about 300 each Fourth of July. They participate in the Melba Community Auction, a community bazaar held each year and contribute to causes that involve kids. They welcome the grade school kids about once a month when they come to the center to entertain. The old soldiers from the VA are regular guests.

All in all, the Melba Center has been a tremendous asset to the community for the past 16 years and plans to continue to do so in future years to come. We welcome all ages to fun and great conversation.

The suggested donation for congregate meals for over individuals age 60 and over is $3.00.   Charge for congregate meals to those under 60 is $5.00

Meals are delivered to homebound seniors for a suggested donation of $3.00 per meal.

We gladly accept Medicaid.

 For more information give Marty a call at 208-459-2804.