Senior Connections Announces Purchase of Old Galipp’s Grocery to Support Growth of Programs for Older Adults

Senior Connections is thrilled to announce we have finalized the purchase of 421/425 North Main Street in Schulenburg. Once the Galipp’s Supermarket Building, this historic space will become the future home of our growing programs serving older adults across Fayette, Colorado, and Lavaca Counties. With significantly more room, the new facility will allow us to welcome more members, expand our services, and serve as the central hub for meal preparation for all our satellite locations, strengthening our reach and deepening our impact across our area.

“This new space is far more than just a building,” said Bob Stanzel, Vice President, Building Committee Chairperson. “It will serve as our central Senior Center supporting older adults across Fayette and Colorado Counties. Through engaging games, enriching educational activities, and nutritious meals, we help our members stay connected, sharp, and well-nourished. In addition to offering a warm and welcoming place for our members from Schulenburg and neighboring towns to connect, the facility will feature a fully equipped commercial kitchen. This kitchen will serve as the essential hub for expanding our meal-based programs, enhancing services in Schulenburg, and supporting ongoing operations in our existing satellite locations in Weimar and Flatonia. Most importantly, it will create a foundation for us to explore the launch of new satellite sites, expanding our reach throughout our area.”

A very special thank you goes to our board president, Chip Bubela, whose skillful negotiation and guidance as our broker were instrumental throughout the purchase process. His deep commitment to Senior Connections began in 2017. We’re especially grateful to Chip and his wife, Kim, for their incredibly generous donation of $11,550, his full 3% broker fee. This gift is their contribution to helping us meet our $15,000 Anderson Foundation Challenge Grant. Visit https://www.srconnections. org/ways-to-give to help us meet our match. Every dollar you donate will be matched by the Anderson Foundation, doubling the impact to support our programs hosted in Schulenburg, Flatonia, and Weimar.

“I’ve always believed in the power of food to bring people together.” Said Executive Director Amanda Kridel, “When I think back on the past few years, I’m incredibly proud of the growth we’ve seen and the environment we’ve created. The energy you feel when you walk into one of our centers is contagious; it’s something you want to be part of.

Last year, we successfully opened two satellite locations in Weimar and Flatonia, an exciting milestone that expanded our reach and impact. I’m deeply grateful to our dedicated volunteers and to our Program Director, Stephanie Shroyer, whose leadership and commitment made it all possible.

Since 2022, our membership has grown from 45 to over 350 members. The number of warm, home-cooked meals served through our programs has risen from 1,500 to nearly 5,000 in 2024. This year, we’re on track to serve 7,000 meals. Meals are at the heart of all our programs. Growing up in a restaurant family, I’ve always believed in the power of food to bring people together. Every meal we offer is more than just sustenance; it’s a chance for our members to connect with a friend and feel part of a caring community. Every meal is prepared with love, and each gathering around our tables, helps strengthen the bond of Senior Connections.

We’re thankful for our generous community partners, Koopmann Catering and Schobels Restaurant, who donate prepared meals, while Texas Beef Initiative, H-E-B, and Walmart provide raw ingredients and gift cards. These partnerships have significantly enhanced the quality and nutritional value of the food we serve.

For the past ten years, we’ve operated out of a City of Schulenburg building in Wolters Park, and we are sincerely grateful for their generosity in providing that space free of charge. This support has been crucial in helping us build a solid foundation, which allowed us to invest in our new facility.

I look forward to the day we can cook in our hub kitchen, knowing the positive impact it will bring once that day arrives. We’re incredibly excited about this next chapter at Senior Connections and the expanded opportunities it will bring to better serve our communities. Thank you to everyone who helped us get to this point.”

Senior Connections looks forward to sharing more updates in the coming months, including renovation plans, and opportunities for the community to get involved.

To complete this exciting renovation, we need Time, Talent, Treasure, and Materials. Whether you can volunteer your skills, donate building supplies, or make a financial gift, every contribution helps us create a safe, welcoming, and fully equipped space for our seniors.

If you’re interested in donating supplies or building materials, volunteering, or making a monetary gift, please reach out to Amanda at amanda@srconnections.org or visit https://www.srconnections. org/ways-to-give to support our mission today.

Connections

Senior Connections is a community-based non-profit organization serving the elderly population of Fayette, Colorado, and Lavaca Counties. Established in 2014, our Center is located in rural Schulenburg, Texas. We are the sole open and thriving Senior Center within Fayette County and the nearest facility for seniors residing in Colorado County. Our weekly programs address the unique challenges seniors in our community face by promoting healthy aging through social interaction, mental stimulation, and nutritional meals. We pride ourselves on offering warm home-cooked meals four days a week. Our meals and membership are at no cost to our participants. Knowing that many of the seniors in our community are on a fixed income, our primary focus is to offer enriching programming without allowing financial barriers to hinder our members’ participation. Our program is sustained by grants, community support, and our New Year’s Eve fundraiser.

Our mission is simple: To enhance the quality of life for the members we serve.

Thank you to our Board of Directors for their tireless commitment to the mission and future of Senior Connections. Their vision, leadership, and unwavering belief in our next chapter have made this transformational moment possible.

Senior Connections

Officers

Chip Bubela, President Bob Stanzel, Vice President Linda Streicher, Treasurer Jenny Neiser, Secretary Members: Milton Koller, Clarence Ahlschlager, Linda Kobersky, Jennifer Moring, Rusti Beckmann, Rebecca Powe, Connie Koopmann, Cynthia Trojacek, Cathy Horn and Rubin Rodriguez