ASHLAND, Ky. — The Boyd County Council on Aging’s Ashland Senior Center has received a $20,000 grant from the BP Fueling Communities Program.

The center was nominated for the Fueling Communities Program by the John W. Clark Oil Co., a BP distributor and operator of Clark’s Pump-N-Shop stores throughout Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia.

The BP Fueling Communities Program provides grant donations to local organizations nominated by local BP business owners to support the communities in which they do business.

Fueling communities gives back to local organizations that support health, education, youth, food and housing in order to spread charity and goodwill wherever it’s needed most.

Brent Clark, president of Clark’s Pump-N-Shop stores, nominated the Ashland Senior Center because he understands both the purpose and potential of the center.

“I have been directly involved with the Ashland Senior Center for several years and am well aware of the good work they do to support our area seniors,” said Clark. “The center offers a lunch program three days a week and an ongoing program of activities to improve the quality of life for people age 55 and older,” he said.

The Fueling Communities grant funds are being used to assist with the operational needs of the center and to purchase a commercial dishwasher for the center’s meal program.

“We are truly blessed to have the support of John W. Clark Oil Co. and Clark’s Pump-N-Shop,” Kim Rice, executive director of the Senior Center said. “Our center has grown from 12 to more than 60 members a day and we have increased the scope of services we provide to keep up with the today’s healthy, on-the-go seniors. In addition to the lunch program, the center serves as a drop in center for active seniors offering exercise, computer, art, health, nutrition and finance classes, recreational activities and field trips. Seniors are welcome to join others for lunch or just to stop by the center to sit, read and visit with other seniors.