Hundreds of locals are served every year by the Capital City Activity Center. The group provides people ages 50 and up with a fun environment for entertainment, education and exercise through scheduled programs and assists in the mission of helping people live independently longer. With 33% of the area’s population above the age of 50, the need for an established organization to ensure these needs are fulfilled is growing.

Marchele Jenkins serves as the agency’s Executive Director. Her past nine years in the role have provided an invitation to clients in the community by well thought out events with the help of dozens of volunteers. “I come to a place where we promote having fun in everything we do, and we are also given the opportunity every day to help someone. It’s engaging and gratifying all-in-one.”

Alongside being a community center, The Capital City Activity Center/Meals on Wheels Greater Frankfort also serves Franklin County seniors 56,000 meals every year. It is the only senior center in the Bluegrass region to provide cooked meals from their own commercial kitchen.

“It’s more than a home cooked meal,” Jenkins explains. “It’s a well check, a friendly visit and an opportunity to speak with someone who might not have any family. Without us, responsibility would fall to the city or county.”

Jenkins routinely dedicates time to fulfilling its mission. The Frankfort native balances crucial tasks such as providing a social community, ensuring a safe space for clients and maintaining a nonexistent waitlist for meals. With a full plate, Jenkins has been able to focus on serving her community without financial worry due to support from the Independence Bank Trust and Investment Services team. “It was a very sound financial move to house our accounts at Independence Bank,” Jenkins shared.

Independence Bank opened its Franklin County location in 2015 and started offering Trust and Investment Services in June 2018. “We were right on board when Independence Bank established in Frankfort,” Jenkins said. “It’s the feel of a hometown bank, but they do mighty things.”

The relationship between the two started with Keith Ballard. “I have been working with the Center for almost 15 years, which has spanned the majority of my professional career,” Ballard, Investment Portfolio Manager of Independence Bank Trust and Investments Services, recalled. “Through the organization, I am behind the scenes in touching so many lives in my community which is not only my responsibility, but my pleasure to serve.”

The impact of the organization changes the lives of those who need it. “Working in the area of estate planning, we regularly interact with widows and widowers during their time of loss. We direct people to the Center which helps ease the pain and eliminate part of their grieving process,” Michael Burns, Trust Officer of Independence Bank Trust and Investment Services says.

The fun, family atmosphere of both organizations pave a natural partnership. As the Center strives to assist in maintaining an energetic environment, Independence Bank strives to keep a captivating culture with engaging employee activities throughout the year.

Independence Bank Trust and Investment Services never loses focus on the local community. Keith and Michael proudly provide service to the residents and businesses of Frankfort making the personal and financial well-being of those in the community their top priority.

Originally published in FRANK Magazine
August August 28, 2023

Learn more about Capital City Activity Center by visiting their website.