BEDFORD — Beth Adamczak is enjoying new storage, refrigeration units and appliances at the Bedford Senior Community Center where she works.
“We absolutely love it! Beth Adamczak said in a written statement. “It's much more spacious and the flow of plating the food is much smoother.”
Nearly 200 meals are prepared Monday through Friday, with about 50 given to seniors at the center. The remaining meals are delivered by 55 Meals-On-Wheels volunteers to seniors who have difficulty getting around on their own.
“It's been a long time coming, but the hard work of our board and staff has been well rewarded,” Executive Director Celia Apodaca said. “The center began planning the renovations and changes about three years ago.”
The center has completed two phases of renovation since receiving funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
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The first renovation was the introduction of a new dishwashing system and sink, and in April a new refrigeration/freezer unit was installed, converting the old fridge space into much needed storage space.
“Our original refrigerators and freezers were from the late '70s and were small,” Apodaca said, “As our membership at the Senior Center continues to grow, we need to be able to serve more people in the kitchen, so we needed a more efficient, larger unit.”
The center needed to lay a cement foundation to add a new walk-in refrigerator and freezer.
Apocada said the kitchen renovation and upgrades are not only an investment in the senior center facility, but also an investment in the seniors who have been working, raising families and contributing to the community.
The third and final phase will be carried out by the end of the year and will focus on adding stainless steel shelving for storage, a convection oven and a large steam table.
— Contact reporter Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling at lvidaurribowling@gannett.com.
