The Robert E. Barr Nutrition Center in Brundidge welcomed Wanda Vinson, its new director, Thursday morning.

Vinson is filling the vacancy left by retiring director Martha Hall who will now enjoy “just being there among friends.”

Vinson said she is excited to be in Brundidge and at the helm of the Brundidge Nutrition Center.

“My background is in social work,” Vinson said. “Children and the elderly are my favorite areas. I was the activities director at Magnolia Wood Lodge in Troy and loved being there and I already love being here. We have a wonderful group of people and I could hardly wait to get here.”

Linda Faust, assistant administrator for the City of Brundidge, said Vinson’s experience working with senior adults, her enthusiasm and her ability to continue moving the program forward made her the prime candidate for the job.

“Mrs. Vinson has been training this week with the South Center Alabama Development Council in Montgomery and she has observed at the Goshen Nutrition Center,” Faust said. “We have confidence in her ability and look forward to working with her.”

Vinson said, for starters, she plans to continue with the things that are in place at the Robert E. Barr Nutrition Center.

“I’m going to listen to ideas from our people,” she said. “I want to know what their interests are and build on those. I want to find things for us to do, people to meet and places to go.”

Vinson, who is vice president of the American Legion Post 70 Auxiliary in Troy, said she would like to involve the Brundidge center in some of the outreach program for veterans.

“The Auxiliary visits the VA Hospital in Tuskegee each year and I think that would be something that we might want to participate in,” she said. “Community outreach is something that benefits our senior adults as well as the community.”

Vinson’s goal, and that of the city as well, is to increase the numbers at the nutrition center.

“We’re going to be active and involved and we’re going to have a lot of fun, learn a lot and do a lot,” Vinson said. “When the word spreads, our numbers will increase.”

The Brundidge Nutrition Center is located off North Main Street across from the post office. Those who are interested in participating are encourage to stop by the center or Brundidge City Hall for more information.