Community Connection in Baker City Offers Daily Lunch, Classes and Free Bus

Community Connection on Cedar Street anchors social life and basic services in Baker City by serving a daily meal, running exercise and games classes, and operating a free bus route that helps residents reach the center.

The center serves lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each weekday and Saturday, with a suggested donation of $6 for seniors, $8.50 for non-seniors and $6 for children under 12. Joe Hayes, county operations manager, said the center serves about 1,400 meals each month and sees about 200 individuals per month participating in activities. At that pace the program delivers roughly 16,800 meals a year, underscoring the scale of its role in local food access and social programming.

Many activities follow the daily lunch, giving residents a predictable schedule for socializing and staying active. Pinochle games are open to all and begin at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays. Tai chi for balance, led by Esa Murrell, meets at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays. The center also offers line dancing, stretch and flex classes, bingo sessions called by regular participant JoAnn Illingsworth, a stocked selection of games and an open pool room with a donation can that helps maintain the tables.

Klothes Kloset, the on-site clothing shop, keeps items affordable for households on tight budgets with most pieces priced at $2 and coats for $5. Illingsworth, who is often found sorting donations when not playing cards or calling bingo, said, "It’s a wonderful place. There’s so much to do here." Speaking to the draw of evening card play, Illingsworth added, "In the summertime, we’re here until 6 in the evening. We’re dyed-in-the-wool card players."

The center’s free daily bus route increases mobility for residents who lack private transportation. The route runs Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., and on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., with a lunch break and no service from noon to 1 p.m. The availability of free transit plus low-cost meals reduces both literal and financial barriers to participation, particularly for older residents and families.

For local residents, Community Connection at 2810 Cedar St. offers predictable, low-cost ways to manage food budgets, access exercise and social opportunities, and stay connected without relying on private transport. With 1,400 meals served monthly and hundreds visiting for classes and games, the center remains a practical and social hub in Baker City. Expect the center to continue functioning as a neighborhood anchor as long as demand for affordable meals, transit access and communal activities persists.