Social gathering connecting Greenfield seniors celebrates four years.

The South County Senior Social, also known as SOCOS Social, is celebrating its fourth anniversary this month, marking four years of food, music and community for about 105 golden-agers.

“What started with maybe 15 to 20 people has become something we literally have to limit because so many want to come,” said Fabiola Lopez, community engagement manager. “It looks like just a fun lunch, but the purpose was always to support seniors' mental, emotional and physical health and to prevent loneliness. And we've actually seen the success of that. We see, aside from all the smiles from our senior residents, we see them actually now spending time with each other in the community.”

SOCOS was launched by Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley, which partners with the City to provide meals. Each month features a theme, live music and dancing and a resource fair so seniors can connect with agencies without traveling to Salinas.

“This year's theme is really an anniversary, so everyone's encouraged to dress up as if they were going out,” Lopez says.

A photo booth where portraits are printed on the spot is also a favorite for attendees.

“One of our senior residents made a whole scrapbook with those photos,” Lopez says. “They really cherish the little details. For some of them, these might be the last photos we get to take together. We think about that a lot.”

Although it began as a Greenfield-focused event, seniors now come from Gonzales, Soledad and King City where the oldest senior has been in their late eighties, according to Lopez.

““We don’t want [our seniors] to be home and sad, Lopez adds. “Even if we run out of food, we still tell them, ‘come in, dance, enjoy the music, get the resources.’”

This month's event will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 11am-1pm.