Senior Meals Program delivers nutritious meals to those who qualify

The Senior Meals Program wants you to know they have food to eat at the Grand Coulee Dam Senior Center for people of all ages, and they'll deliver to seniors who qualify for delivery.

The home delivery part of the program will deliver to those 60 and older and homebound in some way.

There are no income restrictions for the program, which collects a suggested donation of $4 per meal for seniors and $8 per meal for everyone else, although seniors who can't afford a donation won't be turned down.

Breakfast is served from 8-10 a.m. at the senior center and is delivered at about 7 a.m. for those with home delivery. Breakfast meals for the month of January include omelettes, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, french toast, breakfast meats, eggs, fruit, and more.

Dinners are served at 5 p.m. at the center, but delivered to those who qualify from around 3:30 to 4 p.m. Examples of dinners include beef stroganoff, chicken alfredo, pot roast, fish and chips, soups and more, with vegetables and desserts included.

Senior Meals Program Director Chay Heilman said they serve about 35-45 regulars breakfast , and the dinners average about 25 regulars.

She said the delivery system right now averages two to four deliveries per day, but they had been as high as about 20. She also said they can deliver extra meals for someone to eat over the weekend.

"It's a shame if there are seniors in the community that don't know about it," Heilman said. "It's important they know it's available. It can really enrich a person's life to come in here. ... The program was started not only to make sure seniors have a nutritional meal, but studies have shown that interaction with other people is just as important as having nutritious meals, because it keeps people out of long-term care. That's what the program was funded for, to help keep people out of nursing homes and long term care."

Heilman said that the menu is picked apart by a dietician to make sure daily nutrition requirements are met. They also work to accommodate diabetics and others with diet restrictions and limit their use of salt.

Her daughter Becky Miles and son Nick Miles work as cooks at the senior center.

"What I think a lot of people in the community don't realize is that, in house, anybody can come," Nick Miles said. "We do the big chicken fried steak dinner and it's $8! Where else are you going to go in town and get a chicken fried steak dinner with dessert and everything for $8?"

Those interested in home deliveries or who want to learn more about the senior meals program can contact Heilman at 509-633-3214.