No Small feat

PLUMMER - The Plummer Senior Center is a great place, said Fred Small.

Where else can Benewah County seniors get a meal for $3, with friendly service and a smile tossed in for free?

"Because of the economic situation facing many retirees within Benewah County, the center has held the line, opting not to increase prices, but rather utilizing volunteers to fill the void," Small wrote.

But there is a price for that generosity.

Both of the center's ovens recently broke down, and the money wasn't there to replace them.

Enter Small.

The RSVP Director for the Area Agency on Aging of North Idaho bought a new stove on Thursday, and delivered it to the senior center on Friday.

He said the Area Agency on Aging of North Idaho submitted a grant application this week for funds to buy a stove. Meantime, he believed the need was too great to wait.

"I reside in Post Falls, but cannot turn my back on people in Plummer who need help," he wrote in an email to The Press.

He praised Sears for giving him a special price on a stove after learning it was bound for the senior center, where folks gathered for meals three days a week.

"If it hadn't been for Sears, I could not have afforded to do this," he said.

The stove will be installed Monday, and the senior center will be serving up hot meals once more.

Small was happy to help.

"I have visited with many of the individuals who eat there regularly and they are some of the proudest seniors you will ever meet," he said.