Persons 60 years and older are welcome to partake of tasty, nutritious hot meals

Monday -Friday at the Douglas Senior Nutrition Center located at 610 9th Street (at the corner of F Ave.). The meal donation is only $2.00 and is served at approximately 11:30 a.m. A menu is printed for each month so that participants can plan ahead. They should sign up two days in advance. Each meal consists of an entree (EXAMPLES: baked ham, chicken Parmesan, battered fish, sweet-and-sour pork, cheese enchiladas), plus salad or vegetable, milk, bread, and fresh fruit or dessert. The meal plans are approved by a dietician.

It has long been recognized that not only do seniors benefit from the nutritious meals, but also from the socializing which takes place at congregate meal sites. In Douglas the hot lunches are part of a larger meals-for-seniors program operated by Catholic Community Services of Southeast Arizona in which 110,000 meals per year are prepared and delivered to several sites in Cochise County, or directly to home-bound elderly persons. The Douglas congregate meal site is situated in the same building with the Association for Retarded Citizens (DARC), and some ARC clients are employed to assist in the preparation and serving of the meals.

The program serves Senior Citizens 60+ who reside in Douglas and its surrounding areas as well as Elfrida. Additionally, the spouse of a participating senior citizen may join the lunch bunch for the $2 donation. Guests under 60 must accompany a registeed senior at the site and pay $6.25. Senior participants must first register at the site before joining in the congregate meals. Once registered they will be eligible for other services as well. Elfrida residents are provided transportation to and from Douglas every other Friday.

For further information please call Ramona Ramirez at 364-7763.