What is Senior Nutrition? Senior Nutrition is a program sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging (which is funded by the federal Older Americans Act). The program‘s purpose is to provide a hot nutritious meal to needy seniors in San Luis Obispo County. Some of the meals are served at noon at twelve centers throughout the county; other meals are delivered to senior citizens who are homebound (Meals on Wheels).

When did Senior Nutrition come to St. Paul’s Church? Members of St. Paul’s began volunteering in the Meals on Wheels program as early as 1983, when the program started up in Cambria. The Senior Nutrition Program began to use St. Paul’s facilities in 1987, when new facilities were needed for a center in Cambria.

Who is eligible for this service? Anyone who is over 60 years of age (or is the spouse of someone over 60) is eligible for this program. However, the program focuses its attention on older persons who are socially or economically needy. For example, persons being discharged from hospitals may receive Meals on Wheels if they are too frail to prepare meals for themselves during the first weeks of recuperation; persons who are isolated and need social stimulation may come to Senior Nutrition not only for a hot meal, but for company; persons who are living on a limited budget may come to Senior Nutrition for a very inexpensive but nutritious meal.

How can someone help? Volunteers are needed to assist the program in many ways. Volunteers help deliver meals to homebound elderly, escort senior citizens to and from their homes to the nutrition centers, help at the center by serving food and cleaning up, and inform needy people in the community of the service. In Cambria, rides to Senior Nutrition may be provided by the Community Bus, and volunteers also serve as bus drivers.

Does a person have to pay for a meal? Meals are available to eligible persons at no charge. The suggested donation is $2.00 per meal, but is not required. The program is funded by many concerned agencies to ensure that the service is available to the needy within our community.

How do you refer someone for services? Simply call Jesse Miller at Cambria’s Senior Nutrition Center, at 927-1268. If you would like more information about the county program, call 541-3312.