'We hope to keep it going': Coalition fights to save Northland Shepherd's Center

GLADSTONE, Mo. — KSHB 41 reporter Marlon Martinez covers Platte and Clay counties in Missouri. Share your story idea with Marlon.

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The Northland Shepherd's Center, which has served seniors in Clay and Platte counties for 35 years, is set to close Oct. 31. Now, a coalition of more than 20 people is working to keep those services alive.

The center has provided seniors with meals, groceries, activities and community. For many, it became a lifeline after major life changes.

Steve Silvestri

"I lost my wife, and for like a year, I was just kind of, you know, didn't really have much to do," Robert Adams said.

After walking through the center's doors, Adams began attending programs, meeting people and making friends. He eventually started delivering for Meals on Wheels, where he said the work went beyond dropping off food.

Steve Silvestri

"Our purpose in delivering the Meals on Wheels was also to make sure we laid eyes on those people or talk to them," Adams said.

When news of the closure came, Adams said he was caught off guard.

"I was shocked," Robert said.

Steve Silvestri

His biggest concern now is what happens to the seniors who depend on the center once it closes.

"If we can't preserve the Meals on Wheels and the pantry, it's going to hurt a lot of people really bad," Adams said.

Adams and others have formed a coalition to find a path forward — even if that means starting smaller or in a different location.

"We just hope we can keep it going. It's very important to everybody that came to the meeting," he said.

The KC Sheperd's Center says they are working to see how they can help the Northland facility.

"We're absolutely not closing - actually doing stronger than ever and expanding our programs, " said Janet Baker, Executive Director for the Kansas City Sheperd's Center. " KC Sheperd's Center is doing well serving more than 3,000 older adults in KC and working to see how we can help the seniors Northland Shepherd's Center will no longer be able to serve."

KSHB 41's Marlon Martinez reached out to the center for comment on the closure but has not heard back.

Adams said the organization is expected to continue Meals on Wheels for Northland seniors, but what that will look like after the Northland center closes has not yet been confirmed.

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