Schroon's "Meals on Wheels" looking for more participants

SCHROON LAKE | The Schroon Lake Senior is looking to assist more seniors in need through the Center's Nutrition Program and is encouraging senior citizens (aged 60 or over) and those with disabilities to take advantage of the "Meals On Wheels" program. "Every single day I feel rewarded that I am helping someone else," said Keisha Piper, Site Manager of the Nutrition Program for the Elderly for the past 15 years. "That is why I have been here for so long, this is just a wonderful program." Piper cooks all the meals at the Schroon Senior Center located on Main Street, and said currently there are about 20 residents in Schroon that participate in "Meals on Wheels," but that she could accommodate many, many more (North Hudson is also in that coverage zone). "When I am cooking, I am thinking about the people who love that particular meal for that day," Piper shared, adding that in some instances, that food (delivered by volunteer drivers, one going north and one going south), is the only hot meal an elderly person may enjoy that day. Funding for the program is provided, in whole or in part, by the US Department of Health & Human Services, Administration on Aging, New York State Office for the Aging, Essex County Office for the Aging and is administered by Adirondack Community Action Program, Inc (ACAP). A suggested donation of $3.50 is for those 60 years and older, and $6.00 for those under 60 years. The meal menu is designed with nutrition and a well-rounded meal experience in mind. For example, Monday, April 14, Piper will be whipping up Teriyaki beef trip, rice, broccoli, and blueberry parfaits. Monday, Apr. 27 she will be serving spaghetti with turkey meatballs, Italian vegetables, wheat bread, and pineapple tidbits. Friday, Apr. 30 will be a taco salad. All meals are served with milk, and sometimes juice as well, depending on the entree. "One of the favorites is the salmon," Piper shared. "We also do meals like turkey dinners, meatball subs, Philly cheese steaks, and baby back ribs. Suggested donations are important so we can keep this program going. You can't find meals of this quality anywhere else for $3.50." "Meals on Wheels" may bring hot, nutritious sustenance right to an elderly person's door, but it also brings with a friendly face and human contact, which many do not enjoy the luxury of on a day-to-day basis. "A lot of our "Meals on Wheels" clients are shut-ins," Piper revealed. "If they don't have family, the delivery driver may be the only person they see. We like to do "Meal on Wheels" because it is a Monday through Friday daily check-in- are they ok, do they need anything extra, are they feeling OK? When my drivers come back they tell me what the needs are, and I tell the Office of the Aging." In addition to administering "Meals on Wheels," the Schroon Senior Center also provides daily in-house lunchtime meals Monday through Friday for the same suggested donation/cost. Senior Citizens Club membership is not required to participate in the Nutrition Program. However, no Senior will be denied services due to an inability or unwillingness to contribute. Noon-time meals are served in the Senior Center at 11 a.m. "It's a wonderful atmosphere within the Senior Center," Piper noted. "Everyone socializes and chats, there is a puzzle table, and they enjoy eating meals together." To sign up for "Meals on Wheels," please call the Office of the Aging at 518-873-3695.

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Schroon's "Meals on Wheels" looking for more participants

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