April 15, 2005

The Oswego County Office for the Aging provides home-delivered meals to persons age 60 and over who have difficulty shopping and preparing their own food. Meals are also available to the spouse or caregiver, and others that the elderly client is responsible for.

"Meals are provided Monday through Friday with a hot lunch and sandwich fixings for a dinner meal," said Larry Schmidt, administrator of the Oswego County Office for the Aging. Diabetic meals are available. Menus are prepared by the program's dietician. Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) prepares and delivers the meals to individuals' homes.

The program is a "contribution only" program. The suggested contribution is $3 a day for two meals.

"Donations are a very important part of maintaining the program," said Schmidt. "Each person makes the decision as to how much they can contribute. A monthly summary sheet is provided to each participant along with a pre-addressed envelope to be mailed in."

Seniors interested in the Home Delivered Meals Program should contact the Oswego County Office for the Aging at 349-3484 or 1-800-596-3200 extension 3484.

Oswego County Opportunities also operates eight senior nutrition sites through the Office for the Aging. The sites provide a hot lunch, various activities, and socializing. Visitors should contact the site ahead of time. The nutrition sites are open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sites are listed below:

• Fulton: Fulton Municipal Building, 141 S. First St. Open Monday through Friday, phone 592-3408.
• Oswego: Pontiac Terrace Apartments, 225 W. First St. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays, phone 343-0232
• Pulaski/Sandy Creek: Ringgold Fire Hall, 12A Lake St., Pulaski. Open Monday through Friday, phone 298-5020.
• Mexico: Presbyterian Church, Wilcox Hall, 4316 Church St. Open Wednesday and Friday, phone 963-7757.
• Parish: Parish Fire Hall, 16 Union St. Open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, phone 625-4617
• Central Square: First Universalist Church, 3243 state Route 49. Open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, phone 668-6821.
• Phoenix: First Congregational United Church of Christ, 43 Bridge St. Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, phone 695-4841.
• Hannibal: Community Library, Oswego Street. Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, phone 564-5471.

For more information on services provided by the Office for the Aging, call 349-3484 or 1-800-596-3200, ext. 3484.