November 21, 2022 – Flagler County Senior Services Division will spend time this week serving up a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to those who take part in the Senior Center Program at Church on the Rock and is also part of the distribution of turkeys and other holiday fixings as part of the Feed Flagler campaign.
“It’s what the holiday season is all about – good company, a hot meal, and kindness offered to warm the heart,” said Health and Human Services Director Joseph Hegedus. “I am fortunate to have such a caring team that cherishes all of our residents here in Flagler County.”
Flagler County’s Emergency Management team will help serve Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday at the Senior Center Program meeting spot.
“This is a great way to begin the holiday season,” said Emergency Management Director Jonathan Lord. “My small department benefits from volunteers who help us with a variety of things throughout the year, and it’s our turn to give back.”
The Flagler County Senior Center Program provides a five-days-a-week hot meal program, and the activities designed to build companionship among its other benefits. Anyone over the age of 60 can apply to participate in the Senior Center Program, which meets from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday at Church on the Rock. The hot meal is always served at noon.
Other services available during the Senior Center Program include:
- Scheduled entertainment and social activities
- Pantry Bingo – Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Guest speakers
- Holiday Parties
- Monthly Birthday Bash
- Nutrition Education
- Arts and Crafts
Transportation is available through Flagler County, as coordinated by Senior Services staff.
Those interested in the Senior Center Program are welcome to drop in at Church on the Rock weekdays between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. for a firsthand look, or they can call Senior Services Program Manager Winnie Costello at 386-586-2324 ext. 3623.
Other services offered through the Senior Services Division include Adult Day Care, Meals on Wheels, and the Bread of the Mighty Food Bank’s Commodity Supplemental Food Program.
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program is the newest of the programs that strive to meet seniors’ nutritional needs. The Board of County Commissioners in 2017 entered into an agreement with the food bank to provide a commodities food delivery once a month to eligible Flagler County seniors. The program has grown to about 100 deliveries per month – about one ton of food products.
Individual deliveries include: canned or bottled fruits and juices; canned vegetables; instant and ultra-pasteurized milk; canned meat, poultry and fish; plant-based protein; two boxes of cereal; pasta and rice; and, cheese.
Nutrition has remained a high priority for the Senior Services division, which was introduced in Flagler County in the early 1970s. A contracted nutrition consultant ensures the menus for the congregate meals meet the established criteria of the Department of Elder Affairs.
Services also include face-to-face presentations where congregate meals are served, as well as an annual nutrition education program. Senior Services case managers conduct home assessments with follow-up visits on a regular basis.
Meals on Wheels address the nutritional needs of homebound seniors. Five individual meals are delivered once a week. There is a four-week menu cycle, and all meals are diabetic-friendly with a low salt content.
It provides services to:
- Homebound due to illness, disability, or isolation
- Recipient’s spouse, regardless of age, if the provision of the collateral meal supports maintaining the person at home
- Individuals with disabilities, regardless of age, who reside at home with eligible individuals and are dependent on them for care
- People at nutritional risk who have physical, emotional, or behavioral conditions that would make their presence at the congregate site inappropriate
- People at nutritional risk who are socially, or otherwise isolated, and unable to attend a congregate nutrition site
“Our small staff works very hard to make sure the needs of our seniors are met,” Hegedus said. “If you believe you are eligible or know someone who is and could use the assistance, please contact us.”
For more information and specifics about eligibility, call 386-586-2324, extension 3623.
