WESTSIDE -- Due to the closure of area Senior Activity Centers because of the coronavirus, the foodservice program at the centers has been changed temporarily. The Meals on Wheels deliveries are being continued to homebound patrons and curbside pickup is available at the centers but the following changes have been made in the schedule:
Each Tuesday, patrons will receive a hot meal for that day and two meals for Wednesday and Thursday that are prepared and intended to be consumed as a cold meal. These will consist of an entree such as a sandwich, chicken, tuna or egg salad scoop, freshly prepared vegetable salads, fresh fruit and sometimes a dessert.
Each Friday, a meal a hot meal will be available, as well as a frozen meal for the following Monday.
This means that pickups and deliveries of meals will only be available on Tuesdays and Fridays for now. Curbside pickup will be available from 11:30 till 12:15 on those days.
Susan Moore, executive director of the Office of Human Concern, explained in a letter to the centers, "We are working hard to create delicious items for the cold meals that you will consider special even though they are served cold. Meals are subject to change based on food availability." Moore suggested checking the OHC website, OHCNWA.ORG, for the latest information.
"Please know that for those of you who attend the senior centers, we sure miss seeing you on a regular basis," Moore continued. For our clients who receive home-delivered meals, I hope you realize how much your delivery driver looks forward to seeing you and making sure you are doing well."
Menus are only being prepared two weeks at a time and meals are subject to change. The agency will continue to monitor the covid-19 situation and decisions will not be made any further out than that.
Donation envelopes will be provided for those who want to continue to pay for their meals, but Moore said that "a meal will be provided during this crisis regardless of your ability to donate to the Meals on Wheels of Northwest Arkansas program."
Senior centers will remain closed to public access through April 10. Socialization services and transportation services for socialization purposes are still suspended. Melissa Provence, director of the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center at Gravette, has announced that transportation to the store will still be provided for those in need of groceries or supplies. Senior Center staff will go shopping for patrons who are uncomfortable getting out to go to the stores. Persons needing transportation should call the Center, 479-787-5950, to set up an appointment time.
"We want you to know we are taking every precaution to keep our seniors and staff safe during this uncertain time," Provence said. "We miss everyone and hope to get back to normal operations soon. I will keep you updated on any further changes. Thank you for your cooperation and patience."
In Gentry, call 479-736-0378 for information about transportation services.
Community on 03/31/2020