A volunteer serves plates at the buffet line as Seniors on the Go wraps up its final Marysville luncheon of 2025 at Tri-Counties Community Center on Dec. 17.

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - What began as a modest outreach effort in the Yuba County foothills has grown into one of the region’s most consistent senior-focused programs, and now “Seniors on the Go” is preparing to expand once again.

After six months of steady growth and increased participation in Marysville, organizers say the program will launch a new Olivehurst location at the end of January, bringing its signature mix of free meals, social connection and health-focused resources to a broader portion of the community

“It’s exciting to see, and I think we will continue to grow,” said Margaret Fowler, the program’s founder. “Seniors don’t just need a hot meal — they need connection and community. That’s what our program is about.”

Fowler, chair of the Yuba County Commission on Aging, originally established “Seniors on the Go” three years ago in Browns Valley to address the limited availability of services in rural foothill communities. She later partnered with Peggy DeHaan at the Tri-Counties Community Center to bring the model into Marysville. The Marysville chapter officially launched in May 2025 and has since offered monthly luncheons alongside rotating activities, guest speakers and access to community health resources, creating a consistent gathering space for older adults who may otherwise face isolation.

Seniors share a Thanksgiving-style meal and conversation during the final 2025 Seniors on the Go luncheon at Tri-Counties Community Center in Marysville on Dec. 17.

“This is a need in our community and definitely something close to my heart,” said DeHaan, who helps coordinate the Marysville chapter. “I’ve wanted to do this for years, and it’s finally happened. We want to make sure everyone feels welcomed here.”

On Dec. 17, more than 50 seniors gathered in the youth-side lobby of the Tri-Counties Community Center for a Thanksgiving-style meal. Free gifts were also distributed, including candle holders and Christmas decor left over from the center’s Winter Wonderland event. One unhoused senior, Victoria Gillaspie, expressed particular gratitude for the gathering.

“Hot meals around this town really aren’t here that often,” Gillaspie said during a Dec. 17 interview with CBS Sacramento. “They’re doing an extra thought for the seniors in this town. They’re struggling like myself, I’m sure. There’s someone out there saying, ‘Hey, let’s do something for these people and help them out some.’”

Monthly luncheons at the center regularly serve dozens of seniors, while additional programming throughout the week — including arts, crafts, recreation and outreach — has helped transform the facility into a reliable hub for older adults and their families.

Participants fill the decorated hall for the final Seniors on the Go luncheon of 2025 at Tri-Counties Community Center in Marysville on Dec. 17.

County support has played a key role in sustaining the senior program's growth. Funding provided through Yuba County Health and Human Services allowed the Marysville program to formally take root and expand its offerings, a move county leaders previously described as a first step toward broader regional access for seniors.

That expansion is now becoming a reality. Organizers confirmed the program will begin hosting “Seniors on the Go” gatherings in Olivehurst on Jan. 28, with meetings scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the VFW, located at 4956 Powerline Road.

“The success of the original Seniors on the Go helped establish a model that continues to receive guidance and support as it is independently operated in new communities across Yuba County,” Fowler said in a public statement.

The program, like its predecessors, will remain free to seniors and their guests — including a meal. The Olivehurst chapter will be led by commission member Marie Vue, who can be reached at 530-392-2187. Meanwhile, Marysville programming will continue uninterrupted, with monthly luncheons held on the third Wednesday of each month starting at 11:30 a.m. at the Tri-Counties Community Center, located at 1830 B St.