County Senior Centers Serve up Delicious, Nutritious Meals

Havertown Center members Virginia and Ralph DeCaro with Delaware County Councilman Tom McGarrigle

Hungry seniors can eat-in or take out!

Delaware County seniors looking for a delicious, nutritious meal can head over to one of the county’s eight senior centers for a hot, “café-style,” home-cooked lunch. It’s really a treat to have someone else do the cooking this month, when it’s been way too hot to stand over a stove.

All eight senior centers in Delaware County offer new, café-style dining opportunities. The menu options were enhanced with the help of a state nutrition grant. Seniors can enjoy dining options that range from deli fare to southern cooking. They can dine at the center, or order take-out. All of the menus are designed to be healthy and nutritious. Seniors who pair lunch with one of the senior center exercise programs are, indeed, fostering a healthy lifestyle. How about vegetable lasagna and a Yoga class, or lemon flounder after a class in Tai Chi?

Nutritious lunches are served Monday through Friday at every center and menus are updated monthly. Reservation requirements vary, however most reservations can be made one day in advance by calling the senior center.

For residents on the move, the centers also offer a “meals-on-the-go” option that provides a takeout meal for $6. For regular congregate (dine-in) meals, a $2 per person donation is suggested for individuals over age 60. $3 is suggested for persons under age 60 who might accompany the senior. Southern style, deli and café breakfast fare ranges from $3 to $5.

A state grant also facilitated the purchase of china and dishwashers for the centers, which reduced paper and plastic waste and contributes to a more home-style experience.
Delaware County Councilman Tom McGarrigle recently joined seniors at the Havertown Senior Center for a meal of potato-crusted cod with three-bean medley, fiesta corn, white roll and angel food cake. The other option was mandarin orange chicken salad, mixed greens and Oriental noodles with a whole-wheat roll.

“County Council is pleased that our senior centers can provide not only nutritious meals but a place for friendship, education, exercise and other support,” said Councilman McGarrigle. “ The grant helps us ensure that the meals follow nutrition guidelines and contribute to a healthy lifestyle.”

Havertown Senior Center Director Mary Catherine Dabrowski said about 30 senior citizens enjoy lunch at the center on a daily basis. The other Senior Centers are also offering tempting meals for seniors. Wayne Senior Center offers free Starbucks coffee and breakfast on Monday through Thursday. Sharon Hill’s Good Neighbor Senior Center offer “Southern Cooking” on alternating Tuesdays and Thursdays when ribs, fried chicken, meatloaf and cornbread are on the menu for $5. Folsom’s Schoolhouse Senior Center offers a deli program that provides a selection of homemade soups and deli sandwiches for $3. At Upper Darby Senior Center, residents will soon be able to enjoy the atmosphere of a greenhouse with café style dining. Yeadon’s Friendship Circle Senior Center recently installed new café-style lights and awnings and will sell muffins, bagels and coffee during the morning hours.

In addition to meals, Delaware County senior centers offer life-long learning courses, exercise classes and trips. Residents can enjoy programs on Tai Chi, Yoga, wine tasting, Internet skills, creative writing seminars, antiquing and more. Courses are held during the weekdays and evenings to accommodate busy schedules.

Seniors can also participate in day trips to museums, theater shows, historic sites and sporting arenas. For the adventurous, each center offers extended trips, which range from tropical cruises on the Queen Mary II to Broadway excursions and Las Vegas vacations.

The County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) sponsors the senior center meals. COSA has been providing free and low-cost programs and services to seniors in Delaware County since 1975. COSA provides legal services, crime victim services, health education, long-term care insurance and health insurance counseling to county seniors. COSA also offers information on employment opportunities, the foster grandparent program, transportation services and more.

For more information on Delaware County Senior Centers or COSA services for the elderly, call (610) 490-1300 or visit http://www.delcosa.org/.

Office of Public Relations

County of Delaware