The Proud History of MCSC

The Monroe Community Senior Center  began as a volunteer effort in 1968 in an abandoned fruit stand on Highway 2, offering soup, sandwiches, recreation and socialization to the elderly of East Snohomish County. After thousands of volunteer hours and Block Grant support, the old Vasa Hall on Chain Lake Road opened as a Senior Center in the early 1970’s. In 1989, the Board of Directors recognized the need to move and a building committee was appointed.

In 1990, the City of Monroe dedicated land for a new Senior Center in the Monroe Civic Center site, just behind City Hall on Village Way. In June 1993, the Members authorized the sale of the old building. Proceeds from the sale were used as building capital for the new facility. On October 1, 1993, MCSC moved into temporary headquarters in the 4-H Pavilion at Evergreen State Fairgrounds. On March 1, 1994, groundbreaking for the new Senior Center and construction began and then on September 30, 1994 MCSC celebrated its Grand Opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony and public open house.

First held in 2002, MCSC’s Annual Auction was to become the largest fundraiser each year. The continued support of this event by the community through the years has greatly increased our ability to follow our mission to serve Seniors in Monroe and beyond.

Fabulous Finds Thrift Shoppe, opened in July of 2004, is Monroe’s best thrift store! Located inside the Senior Center, you will find all sorts of treasures.

In 2008, MCSC created the Mobility Lifeline Transportation Program, offering door to door bus service for Seniors in the greater Monroe area. This service is a lifeline to Seniors that otherwise have no way of getting to doctor appointments, grocery shopping and social and physical activities.

Going green in 2016, MCSC became the first Senior Center in Snohomish County to use 100% LED lighting. After a successful fundraising effort to raise funds and matching PUD grants, the project took over 3 weeks to complete.

Celebrating 50 years of service to the Monroe community in 2018, MCSC held an open house, inviting the entire community to experience what happens here and to see firsthand the jewel MCSC is to Monroe. 2018 also marked the year Monroe Community Senior Center changed its name from East County Senior Center to better reflect who and where MCSC serves.

Monroe Community Senior Center’s last full-scale auction was in April of 2019 due to the 2020 global pandemic. The ability to pivot to outdoor services such as to-go lunches and a puzzle and book exchange; MCSC was able to ride out this difficult time. Other large events have since taken center stage as our largest FUNdraisers – community bingos, event dinners, sponsorship happy hours and many other events fill MCSC with activity and keep MCSC relevant and current.

Serving over 11,000 meals each year, MCSC offers lunch at noon Monday through Friday and many dinners and events throughout the year. Many improvements have been carried out in the kitchen to facilitate this effort: A new walk-in refrigerator and freezer addition was completed in 2022 replacing our collection of various refrigerators and upright freezers and a new pantry with better organization was completed in 2023.

Monroe Community Senior Center is rich in history and proud to be part of the Monroe community since 1968!