ASHTABULLA — Mealtimes can be a challenge for many seniors with limited mobility, fixed incomes and social isolation, all of which can contribute to food insecurity.
The Ashtabula County Community Action Agency’s (ACCAA) Senior Nutrition Program can help.
The program operates Meals on Wheels for homebound seniors in the northern part of the county, as well as three congregate meal sites in partnership with the Ashtabula Center for Active Living, Conneaut Human Resources Center and the Village of Jefferson, according to a press release.
All meals for the program are prepared fresh daily in ACCAA's Jefferson Kitchen, where kitchen staff at Jefferson Giddings Park Hall prepare an average of 402 meals each day, Monday through Friday.
In addition to senior meals at Giddings Park Hall, the Jefferson facility is home to the Village Table Café, a social enterprise that provides meals and catering to the entire community.
“We're not going to provide anything to anybody that we wouldn't provide to our own families,” said Diana Brooks, commissioner of Health and Nutrition Services.
Brooke and kitchen manager Nikki Teter started the program.
“If I won't eat it, I won't serve it to you,” Teter said.
Teter believes the program will help seniors get out and socialize, enjoy fresh food and provide a place to receive care.
“If someone hasn't been here for a few days, I'll call them and make sure they're OK,” she said. “Our regular customers…we know who they are and we're concerned.”
They are open for lunch from 11am to 2pm on weekdays, and a special senior menu is available for a $3 donation for anyone over 60. The hot water tank in the kitchen was recently replaced, allowing the café to reopen after being closed for some time.
“The community that this builds is amazing,” said Samantha Dragon, 2-1-1 information and referral services coordinator. “It means so much to our seniors who feel so isolated, to have what feels like a regular social event. … Our county is so big, and people are spread out all over the place … it's really nice to have a central place where they can come and socialize.”
According to the release, the Senior Nutrition Program operates through the generosity of donors and the community. Financial donations are essential and volunteers to help deliver meals are always welcome.
Funders include the Ashtabula County Senior Services Tax, Direction Home of Eastern Ohio, Ashtabula County Job and Family Services and donations from those who receive services.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support we've received,” said ACCAA Executive Director Alisa Holdson, “which allows us to continue providing this vital service to our most vulnerable neighbors.”
Teter said he is currently in need of kitchen staff and the positions are paid.
Dragon said they are always looking for volunteers.
“We're all very passionate about what we do and we love it,” she said. “We'd love to have more passionate people come and help out. Providing meals to seniors is a great job.”
Seniors who need help with ACCAA’s senior nutrition programs or are interested in volunteering or donating can call 440-998-3244 or visit the website at accaa.org/get-involved.
