KIDDER SENIOR SERVICES – OUR HISTORY
Kidder County Council on Aging is a nonprofit organization and was incorporated under North Dakota law in 1978. The Transportation program started at that time with a 12-passenger van and in 1981 replaced the van with a 21-passenger bus.
The nutrition program was also implemented and directed by Leonard Kary from the Kidder County Retirement Center, now known as Medcenter One Golden Manor, with Home Delivered Meals to Steele homebound clients.
Kidder County Council on Aging was the grantee of the Older Americans Act of 1965, a federal enhancement program, and was the operating board for the Nutrition and Transportation Programs under Title III funding.
Tuttle, Robinson and Pettibone Nutrition Programs began in 1983 at which time Lisa Scherbenske became Director of the Nutrition and Transportation Program. Due to growth and development, the Nutrition and Transportation Programs were combined in 1985, and the services became Kidder County Senior Services.
Pat Randall became Director of services in 1987. Services continued to grow and in 1992 The Active Seniors Club of Steele purchased the former USDA Building and renovated the building to become the Steele Senior Center. A Congregate and Home Delivered Meals Program continued from the Steele Senior Center and is currently providing meals at this time.
In 1995, Emmons County joined the service which then became Kidder Emmons Senior Services. Hot Home Delivered Meals were delivered to Emmons County residents from the Linton Hospital in Linton and from the Strasburg Care Center in Strasburg. The Communities of Braddock, Hazelton and Hague, as well as all of Emmons County, benefit from a Frozen Meals Program centered out of the Steele Senior Center Kitchen.
A Congregate and Home Delivered Meal Program was started in 2010 at the Linton Senior Center. The Emmons District Health Unit contracts with Kidder Emmons Senior Services to provide health services in all communities in Emmons County. Outreach services are also provided in the two county areas to enhance the lives of the seniors and provide information about accessible services to promote rural living.
On December 31st of 2024, Kidder County and Emmons County separated, and we are again known as Kidder County Senior Services.
We provide meals on site in Steele and Tuttle, HDM/Home Delivered Meals, Take-Out and Frozen Meals to any person who is 60 or older to promote wellness and preserve dignity.
Our Kidder County Public Transit is still serving Kidder County with trips in Steele and to Jamestown & Bismarck.