MONROE - One phone call is all it takes to have a hot meal with friends in the Green County Nutrition Program for seniors.
The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is the place to start, said David Fisher, Wellness and Prevention Coordinator at Green County Human Services.
About 70 people over age 60 or with disabilities are served a hot meal daily at six different Senior Dining Centers located around the county.
For those who can't get out of the house, Green County Home Delivered Meals will bring the same nutritious meal to their home. Frozen meals can also be delivered to allow seniors meals during weekends.
Green County's Nutrition Program can meet the special diet needs of almost anyone.
Meals are valued at $7.10 each, but with government funding and organizational contributions, the a suggested donation is brought down to $3.50.
"That's only a suggestion," Fisher said. "The program is confidential. Anyone who can't afford to pay is not going to not get served."
The nutrition program is a valuable piece of ADRC, according to Fisher.
"(It's) the backbone and success of the program are our volunteers," he said.
About 20 volunteers make, serve or deliver meals Monday through Friday, and more than 25,000 meals a year are delivered in Green County.
While the program helps seniors and those with disabilities meet nutritional needs, both the dining centers and meal deliveries offer opportunities for socialization and health checks.
"People can get a hardy meal that meets one-third of their daily nutrition and meet with friends and social contacts at dining centers," Fisher said.
"With home-delivered meals, for those who are homebound, volunteers make contact and do a health check," he said.
Fisher said regular volunteers often develop close relationships with the clients whom they serve.
"Contact is so important, because it's a health issue," he said. "On rural routes, it's a critical piece of safety. And they deserve it."
For those who have difficulty getting out of the house, can't cooking for themselves, or just want a some conversation, one call can change it all.
To see if you qualify for the Green County Nutrition Program, and to find a Senior Dining Center near you, call the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 328-9499.
The Bridge, the newly-redesigned ADRC publication, lists the menus for two months for the different locations. Weekly menus are published Friday in the Times.
The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is the place to start, said David Fisher, Wellness and Prevention Coordinator at Green County Human Services.
About 70 people over age 60 or with disabilities are served a hot meal daily at six different Senior Dining Centers located around the county.
For those who can't get out of the house, Green County Home Delivered Meals will bring the same nutritious meal to their home. Frozen meals can also be delivered to allow seniors meals during weekends.
Green County's Nutrition Program can meet the special diet needs of almost anyone.
Meals are valued at $7.10 each, but with government funding and organizational contributions, the a suggested donation is brought down to $3.50.
"That's only a suggestion," Fisher said. "The program is confidential. Anyone who can't afford to pay is not going to not get served."
The nutrition program is a valuable piece of ADRC, according to Fisher.
"(It's) the backbone and success of the program are our volunteers," he said.
About 20 volunteers make, serve or deliver meals Monday through Friday, and more than 25,000 meals a year are delivered in Green County.
While the program helps seniors and those with disabilities meet nutritional needs, both the dining centers and meal deliveries offer opportunities for socialization and health checks.
"People can get a hardy meal that meets one-third of their daily nutrition and meet with friends and social contacts at dining centers," Fisher said.
"With home-delivered meals, for those who are homebound, volunteers make contact and do a health check," he said.
Fisher said regular volunteers often develop close relationships with the clients whom they serve.
"Contact is so important, because it's a health issue," he said. "On rural routes, it's a critical piece of safety. And they deserve it."
For those who have difficulty getting out of the house, can't cooking for themselves, or just want a some conversation, one call can change it all.
To see if you qualify for the Green County Nutrition Program, and to find a Senior Dining Center near you, call the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 328-9499.
The Bridge, the newly-redesigned ADRC publication, lists the menus for two months for the different locations. Weekly menus are published Friday in the Times.