History

Barton County Community College assumed management of Friendship Meals in September of 1980 at the request of Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging. Twenty seven communities in the 28 county service area received meals. An average of 875 meals was served each day. Twenty four of the sites served meals five days a week. Three sites served meals four days per week. 

Communities receiving meals included: Ashland, Dighton, Dodge City, Elkhart, Englewood, Fowler, Garden City, Great Bend, Hugoton, Jetmore, Kinsley, Kismet, Larned, Medicine Lodge, Minneola, Ness City, Pawnee Rock, Plains, Protection, Rolla, St. John, Satanta, Sawyer, Scott City, Spearville, Syracuse and Utica. 

The Great Bend community recognized the need for an agency to provide in-home services for older adults. In 1994, ElderCare, Inc. was incorporated as a non-profit agency to serve older adults. Home Services was the first division. In 1996, the number of central kitchens increased from 9 to 14. Meals served each day increased to 1500. Meal sites increase to 41 locations. In 1997 Friendship Meals became part of ElderCare, Inc.