Seniors can enjoy a nutritious meal at several sites in R.I. – or have them delivered

Question: I recently visited my dad at home at lunchtime.  Mom passed last year. I asked Dad what he was having for lunch and he quickly changed the subject. During my visit, I opened the refrigerator and saw only old take-out boxes and a jar of gefilte fish. I am concerned that Dad is not well-nourished. Do you have any suggestions? Are there area programs that he can attend?

Answer:  Your dad is fortunate to have many choices!

It is important for your dad to socialize, and a mealsite may be the right place for him. In fact, the mealsite at Warwick’s Shalom Apartments may be the perfect choice. Opened in 1996, Shalom’s mealsite serves lunch five days a week to an average of 38 people a day, residents of both Shalom Apartments and the community at large. Shalom’s mealsite manager, Carol Barry, takes great pride in her meal “enhancements,” such as rice pudding or brownie sundaes. The cost of the noon meal is $3. Want to know more? Call Carol at 401-737-0180.

In addition to the mealsite at Shalom Apartments, Jewish Collaborative Services operates two Kosher Senior Cafes for seniors and disabled adults. Our Providence site is located at the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center, 401 Elmgrove Ave., and serves hot Kosher meals Monday through Friday at noon, followed by a social activity or entertainment. Our Cranston site, which operates on Fridays only, is located at Temple Sinai, 30 Hagen Ave. Each Friday begins with a social activity or entertainment and is followed by a noon meal.

The communal Jewish activities at the Kosher Senior Cafes are a tremendous benefit for people who yearn for a connection to Jewish culture but have limited social supports to help make those connections. For some, the social activities are as important as the nutritious meal.

Transportation to either Kosher Senior Café is available to local residents through Logisticare and can be coordinated through the café site coordinator once you are registered.

Please call Neal Drobnis, Jewish Collaborative Services Kosher nutrition coordinator, at 401-421-4111, ext. 107, for more information or to make a reservation.

If your dad is homebound, he is probably eligible to receive Meals on Wheels. The program delivers nutritious meals five times a week for $3 per meal. Kosher Meals on Wheels is also available to homebound Jewish seniors living in Providence, Pawtucket, Cranston and Warwick. 

For more information about Rhode Island’s Meals on Wheels, call 401-351-6700 or email dbrissette@rimeals.org. This program began in 1969 and currently provides meals to 1,300 individuals.

JEWISH COLLABORATIVE SERVICES is the consolidation of Jewish Family Service of Rhode Island and Jewish Seniors Agency. Contact them at 401-331-1244.