Monday, November 01, 2021
Lombard, IL – AgeGuide, the Area Agency on Aging for Northeastern Illinois, is re-opening three community dining locations that have been closed for over 18 months due to the pandemic. These community dining locations will serve older adults in the Kankakee County area. AgeGuide suspended all community dining locations in March of 2020 to protect older adults amidst the rapid spread of COVID-19, but with more older adults vaccinated and safety measures in place, it is now time to re-gather.
The community dining program offers older adults an enjoyable meal in a welcoming social environment. Meals are approved by registered dietitians and contain 1/3 of the daily nutritional needs of the average older adult. Beside supporting healthy nutrition, community dining offers an opportunity for socialization to keep older adults active and engaged. Any older adult age 60 or older is eligible for a meal, regardless of income or assets. Others who may qualify for community dining programs include the spouses of eligible individuals, regardless of their age and individuals with disabilities residing with an eligible individual.
Community dining sites are following CDC and Illinois Department on Aging reopening guidelines to ensure a safe environment for those who attend.
The community dining sites that are scheduled for reopening include Ralph J. Bailey Community Center (7219 E. Chicago Street, Sun River Terrace, IL) which will reopen on Wednesday, November 3rd and serve meals on Wednesdays from 11:30 AM-12:00 PM and Pembroke Township Senior Center (4019 S. Wheeler Road, Pembroke Township, IL) which will reopen on Monday, November 8th and serve meals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.
“We are thrilled to announce the reopening of our Community Dining program” said Marla Fronczak, Chief Executive Officer of AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois. “Our staff and nutrition providers have been working hard to find a safe way to reopen this vital program for older adults. The pandemic took so much from older adults in our region and we are excited to see them back at our sites and give them the opportunity to get out of the house and socialize in a safe environment.”
To learn more about the community dining program, or find a location near you, visit www.ageguide.org/senior-nutrition-program or call AgeGuide at (800) 528-2000.
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AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois is a nonprofit organization responsible for developing and coordinating a network of services for older adults throughout the eight-county region. AgeGuide informs and advises public and private agencies and the general public of the needs of older adults living in the area, and acts as an advocate on their behalf. The Agency serves DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. Other information about AgeGuide and other topics of interest to older adults and links to other resources are available at the Agency’s web site: www.ageguide.org.