Senior Nutrition Services has been serving Sacramento county since 1974. Currently they serve approximately 2,500 meals a day, Monday through Friday with the help of 758 volunteers. Senior Nutrition Services has two programs. One is the home delivered meal program for the homebound, known as Meals On Wheels. The second is the congregate dining program, known as the All Seasons Café. Both programs provide a hot nutritious noon time meal Monday through Friday throughout Sacramento County, providing one third of the recommended dietary allowance for senior adults (all of the meals are planned by a registered dietitian). Both the All Seasons Café and the Meals On Wheels program are completely fee free; however, the suggested donation is two dollars per meal.
The All Seasons Café only has one eligibility requirement, you must be 60 years old or older in order to qualify for the program or a spouse of someone who is 60 years or older. Guests under 60 years old may dine at the centers, but there is a guest fee of $7.50. Many of the 25 dining sites offer activities, as well as meals, providing an opportunity to socialize with bingo, cards, or classes and enjoy a healthy meal. The majority of seniors attending the meals say, “Visiting with friends” is the main reason they attend. All Seasons Cafes are a great places to meet friends or make new friends.
The Meals On Wheels program is for adults who are at least 60 years old, homebound, frail and living alone or with a spouse. Many of our meals are a safety net for homebound seniors when family does not live nearby. The meal they receive from staff or volunteers is the main meal for many of the seniors and the delivery driver is their most regular visitor. Seniors receiving the healthy meals may have been living on snack foods or sandwiches before starting the program. Once they begin receiving the meals they often say, “ After beginning Meals on Wheels, I feel so much better. I have more energy and can think clearer.”
If you are interested in dining at an All Seasons Café, receiving Meals On Wheels or volunteering to help seniors please call 916-444-9533.