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Volunteers needed for EL senior lunch program [UPDATED]
Published 10:35am Monday, February 4, 2013 Updated 12:38pm Monday, February 4, 2013Food, fun and fellowship are some of the rewards of volunteering for the senior lunch program in Elbow Lake.
Lunch is provided Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. for seniors 60 or older in the Sanford room of the Scofield Community Building, below the Thorsen Memorial Library.
Help is needed to serve food, and also to deliver meals to shut-ins.
“It’s good to keep busy,” said Judy Johnson, who has been volunteering for nearly five years, adding that she was looking for something meaningful to do with her time after retiring unexpectantly.
For some seniors, this lunch is the most important meal of the day.
“Meals are made by a nutritionist, and can be the main meal they have all day,” said Maggie Aul, a substitute program coordinator filling in last week for Jenny Wall.
Wall works for Nutrition Services Incorporated, which provides the service to eight counties in the area. In addition to a hot, mid-day meal, Nutrition Services also provides home delivered meals, weekend and holiday meals, monthly nutrition programs, birthday meals and special celebrations. They can also accommodate special health needs.
Diners may confidentially contribute toward the cost of the meal, and a suggested contribution is posted at the entry table. No senior is turned away for inability to pay.
Nutrition Services Inc. provides services as part of a contract with the West Central Agency on Aging, with funding from a the Federal Older Americans Act through the Minnesota Board on Aging.
Last Friday’s meal was a boneless chicken breast, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, with coffee and water and a cup of orange vanilla swirl ice cream for dessert.
“It gets me out of the house,” said Marge Borgos. “Then in the evening you don’t have to have so much.”
“I like the togetherness,” said Kathleen Woessner.
Transportation is available in Elbow Lake for those that need a ride to lunch through Rainbow Transportation. The cost of the bus is 25 rides for $22.50.
Seniors wanting lunch are requested to make a reservations by 9 a.m. the day of the lunch.
To volunteer or make a reservation for lunch, call 218-685-4709.
