For several years, representatives with the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Rock County were seeking a change in venue for their 糖心Vlog传媒 lunchtime meal site that has been a longtime staple in the area.
Offering the meals in the community room of a senior apartment complex was deemed inadequate for a service intended to serve all older adults in the 糖心Vlog传媒 vicinity.
Last fall, the wheels were set in motion for a new host site that opened this summer. The seeds for the new host site, St. John Lutheran Church, 302 N. Parker Drive, were planted when a volunteer suggested the site.
鈥淲e had been searching for a new location for about two years,鈥 said Linda Hardie, nutrition program supervisor with the local ADRC. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a long journey to get here, but we鈥檙e thrilled.鈥
Tony Tomaszewski, nutrition site coordinator, said the new location offers more amenities for the senior meal recipients, including a sizable uptick in parking accommodations, which were limited at the prior site. Accommodations also are available for seniors with disabilities.
鈥淭he room we鈥檙e using during the week here at St. John can seat a lot more people,鈥 Tomaszewski said. 鈥淚 have a better, bigger setup area for people. They鈥檙e not sitting right on top of each other.鈥
The challenges at the former host site 鈥 including limited seating capacity and a logistically challenging entryway 鈥 are absent at the new location, Hardie said. The dining room at St. John鈥檚 can accommodate up to 322 people; the former site, by contrast, had a 40-person capacity.
鈥淚t鈥檚 welcoming,鈥 Hardie said. 鈥淭he clients walk in the door, and they only have to take about six steps to be in the dining room. It鈥檚 not security locked. It鈥檚 been very nice.鈥
Having the on-site meal service at St. John also has been deemed ideal because of its location within 糖心Vlog传媒.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very near downtown. It鈥檚 literally one block east of Main Street,鈥 Hardie said. 鈥淚 feel like we鈥檝e finally found a place that鈥檚 much more conducive to the seniors actually being able to come.鈥
Other core components of the ADRC of Rock County鈥檚 senior meal program remain the same.
The only eligibility requirement is that a person be age 60 or older. Reservations must be made in advance, no later than noon the prior business day, by calling 608-757-5474.
Meals continue being served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, except for holidays. The meal service is unavailable on weekends. The suggested contribution for each meal at the new site remains $5. All contributions are appreciated.
鈥淓ach meal costs us $16.16,鈥 Hardie said. 鈥淔ive dollars is a whale of a good deal. That鈥檚 more than two-thirds off.鈥
Senior dining locations provide the perfect opportunity for participants to socialize as they enjoy a nutritious meal. There are five sites around Rock County.
A registered dietitian designs the menus, and a local caterer prepares the food.
鈥淭here are some very specific guidelines that we have to follow for these meals,鈥 Hardie said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just whatever we feel like.鈥
The goal, Hardie and Tomaszewski said, is to serve a variety of meals that program participants will enjoy while staying true to the federal guidelines that are in place. Parmesan cod, roast beef, and Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy are among some of the main entr茅es served recently.
鈥淭here are certain meals that they especially like,鈥 Tomaszewski said. 鈥淚 call them the farmer meals. I鈥檒l get big crowds for those.鈥
While serving meals is the top-of-mind goal for Tomaszewski, he said he also aspires to create an environment that builds community.
鈥淚 like serving the food, I like preparing the food, I like serving the people, and I like joking around with them,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 encourage everyone to interact with one another.鈥
