In-person lunches return to the senior centers

Submitted by San Juan County

After more than two years the Lopez, Mullis, and Orcas Senior Centers, in partnership with Meals on Wheels and More and San Juan County Health and Community Services, are excited to welcome older adults back to onsite Senior Community Lunches.

Orcas Island – Starting Monday, May 9, Senior Community Lunch will be offered at the Orcas Senior Center in Eastsound weekly on Mondays through May 23 with salad available at 11:30 a.m. and the hot entrée at noon. We plan to resume the Monday, Wednesday and Friday schedule in June.

San Juan Island – Starting Wednesday, May 11, Senior Community Lunch will be offered at the Mullis Senior Center in Friday Harbor weekly on Wednesdays from noon-1 p.m. through May 25, with a plan to resume lunches Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in June.

Lopez Island – Starting Thursday, May 12, Senior Community Lunch will be offered at the Lopez Senior Center (Woodmen Hall) weekly on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. through May 26, with a plan to offer lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting in June.

All senior meals are available on a donation-only basis to people aged 60 and older. Others eligible for a donation-based meal include the spouse/domestic partner of an eligible senior, the unpaid caregiver of an eligible senior, the disabled dependent of an eligible senior, and volunteers of any age who support the meal program. The suggested donation is $5 per meal or whatever is affordable. No eligible person will be turned away due to the inability to donate. Others under age 60 who wish to participate in the meal program will be charged $8.50. Senior Center membership is not required to participate in the Senior Community Meals.

Masks are not required but are strongly encouraged inside the senior centers except when eating.

For more information about the Senior Community Lunches or home-delivered Meals on Wheels, contact:

Lopez Island – Roni Becker-Wilke, 360-468-2421, ronib@sanjuanco.com

Orcas Island – Jami Mitchell, 360-376-7926, jamim@sanjuanco.com

San Juan Island – Debbie Haagensen, 360-370-7526, debbieh@sanjuanco.com

About the San Juan County Senior Nutrition Program

The San Juan County Senior Nutrition Program provides home-delivered “Meals on Wheels” and Senior Community Meals to older adults on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands. The Meals on Wheels and More program is administered by the non-profit Whatcom Council on Aging in partnership with San Juan County Health and Community Services and the senior centers on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan, which operate under the umbrella of the Senior Services Council of San Juan County 501(c)(3). The program is partially funded through federal grants, San Juan County levy funding, senior center in-kind contributions (utilities, fuel, kitchen equipment, etc.), and by client donations. The program also relies heavily on private donations and fundraising.