by Benjamin Chase
of the Plainsman
HURON –– The Beadle County Republican Women met Thursday morning at Ryan’s Hangar. The speaker was Deanna Helvik, the Executive Director of the Huron Senior Center.
Helvik explained the community services offered at the Senior Center, beginning with the nutrition program. The Beadle County Nutrition Department is based out of the Senior Center, and the program serves meals in five locations in-person while also offering home delivered meals and grab and go meals. Helvik reported that in the first quarter of 2026, 14,739 meals were served through the various locations, with more than half of those meals (8,143) distributed through the home delivery service.
While Helvik oversees the menu and distribution of meals in Huron, she did note that at the other locations that Beadle County Nutrition services, Wolsey is the only one that receives the exact same menu as Huron through daily meal delivery to the community building in Wolsey. Hitchocock, Highmore and Woonsocket each have a level of independence in their menus, though they have to fit within the state nutritional guidelines.
She also explained that the state funds $4.23 per meal, and she asks for $5 from each person aged 60 or older for a meal ($7.50 for those under 60). However, she noted that she works with those to afford what they can afford.
Helvik then discussed the options for socialization at the Senior Center, whether it’s through the coffee bar, cards, exercise, the on-site thrift shop or bingo. She discussed the expansion of bingo at the Senior Center to Thursday evenings for “big boy” bingo where more than $400 in winnings are distributed in an evening. Helvik notes that the funds raised from evening bingo go toward funding Senior Center community projects, such as sponsoring a performer for Thursday night in Campbell Park. She stated that Thursday night bingo would take a break once the summer Thursday program in Campbell Park begins on June 11 and restart after the State Fair.
Helvik also shared about an upcoming community garage sale and vendor fair on June 13 from 8 a.m. to noon, utilizing the parking lot to the west of the Senior Center to offer space for those who would like to put out rummage items or vendors who would like to promote a small business. Cost is $10 per parking space, and those who are interested can stop in at the Senior Center or call 605-352-8291 to sign up.
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