Chautauqua County Unveils New
Dining Out Program for Seniors
Cassadaga, NY -- An innovative program that allows Chautauqua County seniors to have a delicious and nutritious meal at a variety of local restaurants was unveiled Thursday by Chautauqua County Executive Gregory J. Edwards.
The Senior Restaurant Dining Program is a partnership between the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging (OFA) and local restaurants. Grandma's Family Kitchen in Cassadaga hosted the program's announcement.
"This program offers Senior Citizens a unique opportunity to remain connected to their family, community and home by allowing them to eat what they want, when they want in local area restaurants," Edwards said.
Edwards worked with OFA Director Dr. Mary Ann Spanos and her staff to create the Senior Restaurant Dining Program as a means to address the declining numbers of people using County sponsored Meal Sites.
Under the new program, seniors can obtain tickets from the OFA Office for a donation of $3. Seniors can then go out to eat at one of the participating restaurants, present that ticket to the wait staff prior to paying for their meal.
Edwards said this innovative program seeks to increase Senior Citizens' opportunities for socialization and community activity, ensures nutritional needs are met and provides for stronger bonds between local business and the seniors in their community.
"We want seniors to be able to go where they would naturally congregate and where they would naturally go to have a good meal," Spanos said. "This is a great opportunity for our seniors to get out and gather with our younger Chautauqua County residents."
The OFA will provide a list of restaurants who have agreed to be pilot sites.
Spanos said her office will supply participating restaurants with signage and marketing materials for their businesses. OFA will also provide training to staff regarding program guidelines and assistance with billing as needed.
"This is a great opportunity for local restaurants to participate in a valuable community service to our area's elderly population," Edwards said. "It's also a great way for these restaurants and local businesses to promote themselves, and should act as our own, local stimulus package for our community."
For more information about the program or to become involved, please contact OFA Nutrition Coordinator, Becky Blum at 661-7471, 753-4471, or 363-4471.
e-mail from Joel Keefer
The Senior Restaurant Dining Program is a partnership between the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging (OFA) and local restaurants. Grandma's Family Kitchen in Cassadaga hosted the program's announcement.
"This program offers Senior Citizens a unique opportunity to remain connected to their family, community and home by allowing them to eat what they want, when they want in local area restaurants," Edwards said.
Edwards worked with OFA Director Dr. Mary Ann Spanos and her staff to create the Senior Restaurant Dining Program as a means to address the declining numbers of people using County sponsored Meal Sites.
Under the new program, seniors can obtain tickets from the OFA Office for a donation of $3. Seniors can then go out to eat at one of the participating restaurants, present that ticket to the wait staff prior to paying for their meal.
Edwards said this innovative program seeks to increase Senior Citizens' opportunities for socialization and community activity, ensures nutritional needs are met and provides for stronger bonds between local business and the seniors in their community.
"We want seniors to be able to go where they would naturally congregate and where they would naturally go to have a good meal," Spanos said. "This is a great opportunity for our seniors to get out and gather with our younger Chautauqua County residents."
The OFA will provide a list of restaurants who have agreed to be pilot sites.
Spanos said her office will supply participating restaurants with signage and marketing materials for their businesses. OFA will also provide training to staff regarding program guidelines and assistance with billing as needed.
"This is a great opportunity for local restaurants to participate in a valuable community service to our area's elderly population," Edwards said. "It's also a great way for these restaurants and local businesses to promote themselves, and should act as our own, local stimulus package for our community."
For more information about the program or to become involved, please contact OFA Nutrition Coordinator, Becky Blum at 661-7471, 753-4471, or 363-4471.
e-mail from Joel Keefer
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