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Golden Meals adapts to pandemic

Posted

FREEPORT–Much has changed in Jo Daviess county the past few months, but one thing remains the same: people need good nutrition.

Since 1974, NICAA–Golden Meals has been providing nutritional daily meals for senior citizens. As times change, its services have had to change to meet the needs. In 1974, the program began serving 60 meals daily at the Mary Hosmer Apartment Building. This was a congregate site where participants came to a physical dining hall and were served a meal. As the population aged it became obvious that the need for home-delivered meals was greater.

For many years the program was congregate for those who could, and home-delivered for those who were unable.

When the U.S. was hit with COVID-19, Golden Meals continued and has provided even more meals in a changed format. All meals are now home delivered and left in a cooler outside the home. This protects both the clients and the drivers.

Golden Meals’ general no-salt-added menu is still prepared by a licensed dietitian. The daily meal includes three ounces of protein, two half-cup servings of fruit or vegetables, bread and milk. The optional sack supper includes a sandwich, a side, fruit and usually a bonus item.

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Participants also have the option of frozen weekend meals as well. That allows for a participant to get meals for all seven days a week.

Golden Meals’ drivers in Jo Daviess County deliver meals four days a week, Monday through Thursday, excluding major holidays. The meals are transported in specialized containers to maintain safe temperatures. The drivers do their best to have all meals delivered to participant homes prior to 1 p.m.

The non-profit Golden Meals program understands limited finances seniors face. The suggested donation is $3 per meal.

The program is funded in part with the Title II-C Older Americans Act funds received through the Illinois Department on Aging and the Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging, and is sponsored locally by the Northwestern Illinois Community Action Agency.

NICAA Senior services does not discriminate. Meal services are available to all persons over the age of 60 residing in Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Carroll and Whiteside counties and no one will be denied services due to inability to donate.

To sign up, contact the Freeport office at 815-232-8896.