Dining Sites Provide A Good Meal, And A Good Smile For Seniors

February 12, 2018

Century seniors leave the Council on Aging of West Florida’s dining site with more than a hot meal  — they usually leave with a smile.

“The program provides them a hot meal that I serve,” said Deborah Williams, the Century site manager as she prepared plates of beef stew, rice and broccoli. “And I always give them a smile. People just need a smile sometimes.”

The senior dining site program is a neighborhood-based program offering nutritious meals, activities and socialization for seniors age 60 and older. Council on Aging operates nearly 20 dining sites in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties including sites in Cantonment, Century, Jay and Chumuckla.

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The Century senior dining site on Industrial Boulevard current serves about 10 clients Williams  said, but there’s room for about 40. Attendance has dwindled for the Century program, she said, due to a lack of adequate transportation in Century.

A donation of $2 or more per person is recommended, but it is not mandatory. Donations are returned to the senior dining site program to support the provision of meals and activities at the sites.

Along with the sites often offer fun and mentally-stimulating activities. Common activities include puzzles, word games, field trips, guest speakers and bingo.

“I take them on field trips sometimes,” Williams said. “We’ll go to the Golden Corral, go by the doctor’s office or go shopping. It just does them good to get out.”

“It keeps them smiling.”

Individuals interested in participating in the senior dining site program or getting loved ones involved, should call Council on Aging of West Florida at (850) 432-1475 or visit www.coawfla.org for more information.

Pictured top: Deborah Williams, manager of the Council on Aging of West Florida’s senior dining site in Century. Pictured inset and below: Seniors enjoy lunch at the senior dining site in Century. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

2 Responses to “Dining Sites Provide A Good Meal, And A Good Smile For Seniors”

  1. RAM on February 13th, 2018 9:35 am

    My elderly father would attend and benefit from such a wonderful program, but as the article states transportation is the BIG issue.

  2. freda on February 12th, 2018 12:35 pm

    I love this. It is so important for this kinda stuff. This story just ads sunshine to such a cloudy day.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FEATURE TOP STORY, Features, News