The West Seattle Senior Center is inviting clientele over for lunch at its newly renovated digs on Southwest Oregon Street. The center's lunch program provides nutritious meals for people over 60 at a suggested confidential donation of $3 a meal. That's suggested - not mandatory.

During the center's six-month renovation, many programs were dispersed to other locations and the lunch program lost the clientele it used to have, said Karen Sisson, the director of the senior center.

"And we want them back," she said.

Monday through Friday, about 15 to 50 people come to the center daily for hot lunch and conversation. Live-in caregivers and family members are also invited to partake, and anyone under 60 can eat for $5.75. The meals are served at 11:45 a.m. and are prepared either onsite by volunteers or at Pioneer Industries, a Seattle catering company.

The menu changes daily and ranges from honey mustard pork chops and baked fish filets, to sweet and sour chicken and cheese manicotti. The food is prepared with one-third of the recommended daily nutrition allowances for seniors. For those looking for a little lighter fare, the center now has a full espresso bar, serving soup and sandwiches for $4 and drinks for around $2.

Sisson said she hopes more people will participate in the program and offer suggestions on how to alter the lunch menu to fit their preferences.

"We really want to listen to our clientele and find out what they want," she said.

Sisson said she would like to see at least 80 people a day take advantage of the lunches because many elderly residents struggle to prepare even just one meal a day. This program and other meals programs like Meals on Wheels can help seniors get the nutrition they need at an affordable price, she said.

Another reason to come to the center is to explore the added 4,200 square feet of new classrooms and activity areas. It's no longer dark and drab, said Sisson. There are new floors and windows in the dining room. A second floor has been added on as well as a larger office space, a billiard's poolroom and a classroom with huge windows for extra light.

Sisson, who's worked at the West Seattle Senior Center for the last 18 years, recalled a visit from a few clients that toured the facility shortly after the center re-opened. An elderly woman in her 90s, trailed slowly behind her friends as they passed by Sisson who was setting up the new espresso stand.

"I heard her say lightly under her breath, 'Boy am I lucky to be old and living in West Seattle,' and that made my day," said Sisson. "That's what it's all for."

Meals programs are funded mostly through membership and foundation donations. Food stamp vouchers, cash and check are accepted as contributions. The West Seattle Senior Center is located at 4217 S.W. Oregon St., call 932-4044 or visit http://www.seniorservices.org/nutrition/congregateinfo.asp for more information and to view photos.

Rebekah Schilperoort can be reached via wseditor@robinsonnews.com