When people move to Belfair or North Mason from somewhere with a larger city infrastructure, one of the first practical questions is: where is the support system here? What happens when someone needs a senior center, a community organization, a place to borrow a wheelchair, or a volunteer who will drive your parent to a Bremerton appointment?
The answer, for 25 years, has been The HUB Center for Seniors at 111 NE Old Belfair Highway.
What The HUB Is — and Why It Works Differently Here
The HUB is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that exists specifically to support independent living for seniors and people with disabilities in North Mason. It was incorporated in 2001, ran entirely on volunteers for its first 15 years, and built its permanent home on Old Belfair Highway in 2016 after Belfair community members — including lead donors Les and Betty Krueger — raised the funds to make it happen.
That origin story matters if you’re new here. The HUB wasn’t built by a county program or a state grant. It was built by neighbors who recognized that North Mason doesn’t have a large hospital, doesn’t have the density of senior services you’d find in Bremerton or Tacoma, and that the SR-3 corridor is a real logistical barrier for people who can no longer drive it alone. The community built the solution it needed.
Today The HUB employs 32 people, holds $2.49 million in assets, and operates a calendar that runs six to seven days a week depending on the program.
The Services: What You Actually Get
For newcomers trying to understand what The HUB provides, the clearest way to think about it is in three layers:
Neighbors Helping Neighbors is the volunteer service network — the original 2001 mission, still running. Rides to appointments, grocery help, caregiver referrals, utility bill assistance, home heating support. The program has served more than 900 people in North Mason. If you or someone you know needs this kind of support, call (360) 275-0535.
The Medical Lending Library is free, open to anyone of any age, and requires no membership. Wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, crutches — you walk in during center hours and borrow what you need. If you recently moved here and have a family member recovering from surgery or managing a new mobility limitation, this is a resource most newcomers don’t know exists until they’re standing in a Bremerton medical supply store paying rental fees.
The Center Calendar runs Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday mornings bring free live music open to the whole community. Family BINGO falls on the first Friday of the month. Fitness, painting, writing, cooking, and health events fill the rest of the week. The Great Room and commercial kitchen can be rented for community events and private fundraisers.
The HUB SHOP: The Thrift Store That Funds Everything
At 111 NE Old Belfair Highway Suite A, The HUB SHOP — Sales Helping Other People — runs Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It’s a full-service thrift store where proceeds fund HUB programs. For newcomers setting up a household in North Mason on a budget, it is one of the better-stocked thrift options in the area, and every purchase directly supports a local nonprofit.
North Mason’s Support Infrastructure: How It All Fits
Getting oriented to North Mason means learning which institutions hold the community together. The HUB is one of the most important. Mason County’s median age is among the highest in Washington state, which means the pressure on senior and disability services here is real and growing. The HUB has been the community’s primary response to that pressure for 25 years.
If you’re new to the area and want to understand the community you’ve moved into, walking through The HUB’s doors on a Monday morning — when the live music is playing and the coffee is on — is one of the better starting points. The full 25-year history of The HUB in Belfair is worth reading. For more on getting oriented in North Mason, the newcomer’s guide to Tahuya State Forest is another entry point into the outdoor and recreation infrastructure that defines life here.
Frequently Asked Questions for North Mason Newcomers
Is there a senior center in Belfair?
Yes. The HUB Center for Seniors at 111 NE Old Belfair Highway has served North Mason since 2001. It offers social programming, a free medical lending library, volunteer services including transportation, and caregiver referrals.
Do you have to be a senior to use The HUB?
No. Many services, including the medical lending library and community events like live music and BINGO, are open to anyone. The Neighbors Helping Neighbors program serves adults with disabilities of any age, not just seniors.
Where is The HUB in relation to downtown Belfair?
It’s on Old Belfair Highway, just off SR-3, on the left side heading away from the Belfair Town Center. It’s easy to miss if you’re not looking for it — but it’s been there since 2016.
How far is The HUB from the Belfair Town Center?
Less than a mile. It’s on Old Belfair Highway, a short drive from the SR-3/SR-300 intersection in Belfair.
How do I get involved with The HUB as a newcomer?
Call (360) 275-0535 or stop in during center hours (Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.). Volunteer opportunities, program participation, and community rentals are all available. Website: hubhappenings.org.
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