Elva Downing retires from SCICAP after 42 years

By AMY HANSEN

Creston News Advertiser staff reporter ahansen@crestonnews.com

Elva Downing, the outreach coordinator for South Central Iowa Community Action Program (SCICAP) may be leaving, but she’s not gone for good.

Downing, 84, is retiring after 42 years of service to Clarke County.

“Elva’s synonymous with the center,” said Jim Smith, executive director of SCICAP. “... She’s a wonderful person.”

A retirement celebration was held in Downing’s honor Friday afternoon at Osceola Congregate Mealsite.

Smith, who worked with Downing for almost 39 years, called her a “dear friend.” He said he was going to miss walking into work and joking with Downing.

Downing started with SCICAP as an outreach aide in 1970 and became coordinator in 1993. She has been instrumental in assisting those in need and contributing to the growth of the food pantry.

Future plans

Now that Downing is going to have more free time on her hands, she said she is going to make a schedule for herself.

“Then, I’m going to have one day that I’m going to work real hard,” Downing said, “and then I’ll play and be tired for days.”

She added, she will continue to volunteer for SCICAP.

When Downing was asked why she stayed at her job for so long, she answered it’s because she likes people.

“She’s the real deal,” Smith said. “She is.”