Each weekday, Davie County Senior Services hosts daily lunch at their main campus on Meroney Street, called Congregate Meals, or the “Senior Lunchbox”. Starting at 10:00am, there is a program of some sort – Bingo, educational speaker, music, cornhole, and more. At 11:00am, a meal is served that meets 1/3 of the recommended daily allowance of nutrients. Even more than the meal and program, the Senior Lunchbox offers the added benefit of friendship and socialization among participants. Newcomers are quickly welcomed into the group with a volunteer who will introduce them to others and help them settle in.
The participants in the lunch program are a lively, fun bunch who add a buzz of energy to Senior Services each day. Recently, staff chatted with a few to discuss some of their experiences with the lunch program including insight into their favorite activities and meals offered, why they started attending, and what they enjoy most about it!
Sarah Parks has been attending congregate lunch for about three or four years now. She first heard about the program through some friends. Sarah shares that the program has made a difference in her life because “I’ve met a lot of nice people and it keeps me from eating fast food.” Her favorite meals are the chicken pie, meatloaf, and salads! Sarah enjoys Bingo and the health seminars especially.
Veronica “Ronnie” Knost has also been attending the congregate program for about four years after hearing about it from her daughter. At first, she and her husband Bill attended. The lunch program made a difference in her life because, “it made Bill and I get up in the mornings.” Since then, Bill has passed, but Ronnie still attends. The program provides Ronnie with socialization and friendship since losing her husband and still gives her a reason to get up. Like many other clients, Ronnie told us that Bingo is one of her favorite activities, and she also enjoys the health seminars and the opportunities for exercise.
For the Wooten brothers, the daily lunch program serves as a family outing. Eric Wooten started coming to lunch in November of 2019. He states, “Before that, I frequently came to the 10:00am program. I gradually decided to give the lunch a try.” Soon, his brother Bruce joined him and the two now attend almost every day. Eric loves the fact that the program allows him to cook one less meal each day. Their favorite meals are the meatloaf, the chicken patty, and the turkey and stuffing because, according to Eric, “it’s like Thanksgiving!” One of their favorite programs was a series of Astronomy seminars offered a while back.
About five years ago, Bill Zimmerman’s daughter signed him up for the lunch program, and he has been coming since then every day that he can. When asked about how the program makes a difference in his life, Bill says, “I enjoy everyone that I meet. I love talking to everyone that comes to lunch and the staff.” His favorite meal is hotdogs, “I like those a lot!” He shares that that the meatloaf and coleslaw are very good too. Bill’s favorite activities are playing Bingo and cards with his friends at the center.
Barbara Thornton worked part time for Senior Services for about 22 years. She would often eat lunch at the center during that time, but after retiring in December of 2017, she continued to come not only to the events, but also to lunch almost every day. Barbara enjoys coming to lunch because she says “it keeps me active, and I really enjoy being with others.” The meatloaf is her favorite meal, and she tells us how she enjoys the crafts that the center offers, and like so many others, Barbara loves Bingo!
Ernest & Nellie Hargrove have been coming to Senior Services for lunch for about 5 years. According to Nellie, “I was first introduced to the program by a friend of mine who really seemed to enjoy gathering with seniors and sharing a meal.” That friend encouraged the Hargroves to attend, and they have been coming ever since. Nellie says of the program, “It helps me by preparing a well-balanced meal. This helps me with meal preparation and keeps me out of the kitchen.” The Hargroves favorite meal is spaghetti with meat sauce. They say it is “very tasty, seasoned, and nutritionally balanced!” In addition to the food, the Hargroves enjoy all the activities offered before lunch. One seminar that stood out in their mind was the heart attack and stroke seminar offered recently. According to Nellie the seminar, “gave us the warning signs and informed us on what to do if we suspect a heart attack or stroke and how to take action immediately.” The Hargroves share that “congregate lunch at the Senior Center gives us an opportunity to socialize, meet new friends, and learn and share with each other!”
For those who are still a little uncomfortable with getting out among crowds, Senior Services also offers the opportunity to pick up 5 days of frozen meals every Monday. This started during the height of the pandemic when Senior Services had to close their doors to the public. Instead of offering the daily meal, participants came each Monday afternoon to get 5 frozen meals. In addition, an activity packet was distributed, filled with games, puzzles, exercise tips, health information, and other information relevant to older adults.
At one time, nearly 300 older adults were taking advantage of the frozen meal pick-up each week. Since Senior Services reopened the doors July 1, 2021, the frozen meal program has continued. Now, approximately 70 seniors each week pick up 5 healthy meals to eat throughout the week as well as the activity packet.
Gail and Gordon Stewart started participating in the frozen meal program in late summer of 2020 during the COVID pandemic. Gail is very appreciative of the program being offered in this manner, and shares with Senior Services that the program has made a significant impact in her life as it “provides safety, ensuring we have access to food without having to worry about exposure.” She said, “The frozen meals provide convenience as it gives us a meal that is right at my fingertips, it is easy for me to prepare without expending too much time and energy.” Senior Services asked the Stewarts about their favorite meals and activity kits, and Gail shared that “Gordon loves the word searches and hidden picture activities – these help to keep our minds sharp.” She also told us, “We love most all of the meals” and shared that the chicken and dumplings and spaghetti are their favorites.
If you or someone you know is interested in either the frozen meal pick-up or the daily on-site lunch program, contact Davie County Senior Services. The lunch program is free to anyone 60 and older upon completion of simple paperwork, but you must reserve your meal at least by noon the day before you plan to eat (or by noon Friday if you plan to eat on Monday). Frozen meals must be reserved by 1:00pm on the Thursday before pick up on Monday. Participants are eligible to participate in one program only – on-site or frozen meals.
To see what the lunch program is all about, be sure to join Senior Services for “50 Years of Nutrition: Celebrate, Innovate, Educate” on March 29. The celebration will start at 10:00am with fun activities, games, and more with lunch following at 11:00am. All ages are invited to this celebration. There are fun games, food tastings, door prizes, and more planned for the event. Please reserve your spot by March 24. For more information about meals, other programs and services offered by Senior Services, or to reserve your spot at the celebration, contact Davie County Senior Services at 336-753-6230.
Original source can be found here.
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