Fayette

Senior Services was incorporated in 1978 as the Council

of Mature Adult Citizens Organizations of Fayette County

Inc.

In 1981 the name was

shortened a little, dropping the word

"Citizens." In 1992 it was changed to the

current Fayette Senior Services Inc.

Margaret Hunter, a master's

degree candidate in gerontology, led the effort to

establish the original council. The council was formed in

1977 by combining a number of senior organizations.

Originally, The Friendship

Center, one of the mainstay outreach programs of the

council, met at the First Presbyterian Church in

Fayetteville. The council's proposal to add a meals

program in July 1978 was met with opposition from the

community, as it was perceived as a "welfare

program." Contrary to fears, close to 70 percent of

those using the services at FSS are above poverty level.

In the fall of 1978,

Fayette County purchased 1.3 acres and the building on

the site at 390 Lee St., Fayetteville, to house the

senior programs. The building was remodeled and opened in

mid-1979.

In July 1991, the council

was selected by the Atlanta Regional Commission as the

contracting agency to provide programs for seniors.

Fayette Senior Services is

a nonprofit, United Way organization. Funding to support

the agency and its many programs comes from a variety of

sources.

The ARC, United Way,

Fayette County, Peachtree City and Fayetteville all

provide some degree of support. Donations from

businesses, individuals, fund-raisers and program income

also contribute needed revenue. The top three sources of

income are the ARC, United Way and program income.

Some of the programs

provided by Fayette Senior Services include the

well-known Meals on Wheels (home-delivered meals), Adult

Day Center, information and referrals, congregate meals

(on-site meals), wellness program and various in-home

services.

FSS provides the federal

Title III Older American Act program in Fayette County.

Fifty-eight percent of

those using the services of FSS live in Fayetteville.

Thirty-four percent being served live in Peachtree City.

The remaining percentage live in Tyrone, Brooks and other

areas.

In 1999 close to 22,600

meals were delivered to homes by volunteers and FSS

staff. The organization received well over 12,000

information and referral calls. During the fiscal year of

1999 the transportation service has made more than 12,800

one-way trips.

FSS depends heavily on

volunteers. Many local individuals contribute their time

to deliver meals and assist in other ways. Businesses and

civic groups also volunteer and give donations to fund a

variety of programs and projects. FSS currently has one

full-time and 15 part-time workers. The organization uses

an average of 16 volunteers a day.

<!--

##############