Hayden Town Hall and Senior Center. Photo by Nichole Aranda
On Wednesday, June 25, 2025, Central Arizona Aging and the Town of Hayden announced that due to budget cuts, they would be dissolving their 50-year partnership, which effectively closed the Hayden Senior Center. Central Arizona Aging, a nonprofit organization, has provided funding to the Town of Hayden to serve healthy hot lunches every Monday – Thursday, while the town provided the Senior Center for seniors to congregate.
Although the Senior Center is closing, Central Arizona Aging realizes that nutrition for seniors is still a priority and will now be providing the Copper Basin Area with a Meals on Wheels program. This program will provide seven frozen meals to all who register. Meals will be available for pickup every Monday, from 11 a.m. to noon in the Senior Center parking lot. If transportation is an issue, seniors can always delegate someone to pick up meals for them, or it can even be arranged for meals to be delivered. Monthly menus will be provided for participants.
With the news of the Senior Center Closing, Hayden Library is hoping to give local seniors a place to spend time as close to what they would normally spend together at the Senior Center.
“We already do a few things for seniors, but we are willing to do more,” said Jamie Wolgast, Library Clerk. She said they welcome all to come, sit together, even bring a lunch they would like.
“Anything we can do to help,” said Bea Bejarano, Lead Librarian.
The library has already done a few things such as hosting bingo events, but they are willing to listen to suggestions and see what they can do to make it work. Obviously, as a library, they don’t have the same amenities that were offered by the senior center, but it is great to see them stand up and help and kudos to the staff for attempting to restore a little of what has been lost.
Along with providing meals, Central Arizona Aging also provides seniors with legal aid, Medicare counseling, and health providers.
Applications can be picked up at the Town of Hayden and the Town of Winkelman. This program is available to households in the Copper Basin Area with at least one resident who is over 60 years of age.
Central Arizona Aging also stated that they have been reaching out to Pinal and Gila County for any information on organizations that may want to help. Angela Skillings, with Town of Winkelman Town Council, also stated she would try bringing it to the Central Arizona Governments (CAG) and that they have been searching for grants to hopefully get the Senior Center reopened, but as of now, no promises have been made.
Hayden Senior Center will still be available to rent for events.
For more information regarding the Meals on Wheels Program, please contact Central Arizona Aging at 520-836-2758.