Nourishing neighbors: ACCAA kitchen feeds local seniors
Jun. 18—ASHTABULA — Mealtime can be a challenge for many seniors facing limited mobility, fixed incomes and social isolation, which can all contribute to food insecurity.
The Ashtabula County Community Action Agency (ACCAA) Senior Nutrition Program can help.
The program operates Meals on Wheels for homebound seniors in the northern part of the county, as well as three congregate dining sites in partnership with the Ashtabula Center for Active Living, the Conneaut Human Resources Center, and the Village of Jefferson, according to a press release.
All of the meals for the program are made fresh daily in ACCAA's Jefferson kitchen. Located at Jefferson Giddings Park Hall, the kitchen staff produces an average of 402 meals each day Monday- through Friday.
In addition to the senior meals at Giddings Park Hall, the site at Jefferson is home to Village Table Cafe, a social enterprise that offers food and catering to the entire community.
"We're not going to serve anything to anyone that we wouldn't serve to our own families," said Health and Nutrition Services Director Diana Brook.
Brook and Kitchen Manager Nikki Teter started the program.
"If I'm not going to eat it, I'm not going to serve it to you," Teter said.
Teter thinks this program helps seniors get out to socialize, enjoy fresh food and is a place where they are cared for.
"If someone doesn't show up here for a couple of days, I'm going to call them and make sure they're OK," she said. "Our regulars ... we know who they are and we get concerned."
Doors are open for lunch every weekday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There are senior specials for those 60 and above for a $3 donation. The kitchen recently replaced its hot water tank and the cafe can now continue operations after a brief hiatus.
"The community that this builds is amazing," said 2-1-1 Information and Referral Services Coordinator Samantha Dragon. "The way that it feels like a regular social outing is such a big deal to seniors who feel very isolated. ... We are such a big county and everyone is spread out all over the place ... to have this central location they can go to and socialize is really nice."
According to the release, the Senior Nutrition Program relies on the generosity of funders and the community to operate. Donations of financial support are crucial, and volunteers are always welcome to help with meal delivery.
Funders include the Ashtabula County Senior Services Levy, the Direction Home of Eastern Ohio, and the Ashtabula County Job and Family Services, as well as the donations by those served.
"We are incredibly grateful for the support we receive," said Alissa Holdson, ACCAA Executive Director. "It allows us to continue providing this vital service to our most vulnerable neighbors."
Teter said that they are currently in need of kitchen staff and that these are paid positions.
Dragon said that they are always looking for volunteers.
"We are all very passionate and in love with what we do," she said. "We'd love to have more people that are passionate come in and help. Feeding seniors is awesome work."
Seniors in need or interested in volunteering or donating to ACCAA's Senior Nutrition Program, can contact the organization at 440-998-3244 or visit its website accaa.org/get-involved.
