Douglas Council on Aging Launches Food Pantry, Sets Record Service Numbers in 2025

DOUGLAS — December 3, 2025 — Douglas Council on Aging reports record service numbers and opens a food pantry. The board, meeting December 3, logged 2,572 transportation rides and 7,386 walk-in visits so far in 2025, surpassing 2024 full-year totals of 2,092 rides and 6,336 visits; 317 new participants have joined since January compared to 127 in all of 2024. The board unanimously seated new member Carolyn Duval and created and filled a second vice chair position to prevent future cancellations after the November meeting was scrapped for lack of quorum. A new confidential food pantry — stocked by donations from the Douglas Police and Fire departments and area residents — is now operating five days a week out of the center's back office, with personal care items and cleaning supplies described as the fastest-moving goods. A planned 55-and-over residential development rumored for Douglas prompted board discussion about whether developer stipulations could fund an eventual expanded senior center, though no formal action was taken.