Marketa Willis

Marketa Willis provides seniors direction and purposeThe Sweetwater Reporter
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Marketa Willis provides seniors direction and purpose

BY KYLE DAVIAN/Special to the Reporter

"You have to have a reason to get up in the morning - you have to have a purpose.Or else you literally start withering away."

Senior Nutrition Activities Program (SNAP) site director Marketa Willis spoke these words.And its message rings loud and clear for her, because she's made sure that SNAP has kept its focus and drive for the past 12 years.

The name SNAP could almost be an acronym for Willis herself, who seems filled with endless "snap" and energy.And one might need an extra dose of that in her position.She works with seniors 60 years and older who congregate at the site for a good, hot meal or for the social interactions that can be found there for participants in this unique age group.

The so-called "participants" at SNAP can vary.

"When I first came here," she said, "they were just about equal (male vs. female).Then it kind of took a swing, and we had more men than women.And right now we probably have more women then we do men."

The history of SNAP in Sweetwater is a relatively unknown one, at least for the general public.But Willis said it was started here because individuals heard about it being over in Abilene and other places.
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With that said, Willis laughed that nursing was not a future endeavor for her.But perhaps to better understand her focus is to know that her father was 40 years old when she was born.Interestingly enough, he was one of the youngest in his family.

"So all of my aunts and uncles were even older than that," she said."I have cousins that have kids my age.So I've always been with an older group.And I feel more comfortable with them."

SNAP itself, Willis said, is a "department of the city."
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Willis said that this type of event is unique for a town this size."It started out in Snyder, which is where we got the idea from.And theirs didn't last for about two years after we took the idea from them."

She said it's usually the bigger towns that have the bigger restaurants that'll come together and do it.
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But SNAP itself serves up a mean dish, although Willis said sometimes it's their best-kept secret.
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Beyond the food, Willis said it takes a person with a big heart to work at SNAP.
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And for Willis, who one would think would be used to such news now and then, does it ever get any easier in this respect?

"No," she said softly."We lost one (participant) two weeks ago, and it wasn't any easier two weeks ago than it was when I first started."

It helps a lot, she said, that SNAP has a huge volunteer staff, somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 per week.They register people, take in the donations, man all of the organization's fundraisers and administer the home delivered meals program, which is a state-funded program.

"We also have Meals On Wheels," she said, "which is also state funded, but it's through DHS.It is regardless of your age.But both of those programs are on freeze right now because of the state funding.We're delivering meals, but we're not putting any new clients on."

Willis said she's heard some good advice over the years at SNAP, as well as heard a few good conversations.One concerned a 92 year old female who broke her wrist during a fall while playing a game of pool.The doctor examing her repeatedly asked her if she was on any medications, to which the woman responded in the negative.

"That's why I'm 92 years old," she admitted, "because I don't take any medications!."

Another fond memory of Willis' was a female participant's 100th birthday celebration at SNAP.
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Willis said for a lot of seniors, that "purpose" doesn't have to be elaborate or complicated.
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And all of these fond memories Willis has said will remain with her, even after she moves on.She has announced her retirement, which becomes effective January 31, 2005.

But for the young lady who began her long career with the City of Sweetwater in purchasing and then continued on to SNAP, these past 25 years have not been in vain.
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Marketa Willis provides seniors direction and purpose

Currently there are anywhere from three to six routes each day that do not have a driver, according to Marketa Willis, director of SNAP.Back-up drivers -- persons who can drive when other volunteers need off -- also are needed for Sweetwater and Roscoe."Without the help of our volunteer drivers, it would not be possible to deliver meals for these homebound individuals," Willis stated.Anyone who can help out at 11 a.m., from 45 minutes to an hour, is asked to call Marketa Willis or Janet Patty at 236-6344.