For an older adult who is caring for a family member, managing multiple doctor’s appointments, or simply juggling the many demands of daily life, cooking and eating healthy meals can fall to the bottom of the priority list. That was the case for Susan Hriczo, who drives her husband into Boston daily for cancer treatments. Her husband, who is battling three types of cancer, has always been the primary cook in their household. With his illness, preparing meals became an added burden on top of their already exhausting routine.
Thankfully, Susan found support through AgeSpan’s Grab and Go meal program at the Newburyport Senior Center. Now, she simply stops in each day and picks up two nutritious meals for herself and her husband. She says the food is delicious and the program has been a godsend.
“Being able to come in and pick up a healthy meal or two just takes one worry off their plates,” Newburyport Site Director Virginia Chapinski says.
Because Susan and her husband are away from home so often for appointments, they aren’t able to participate in the Meals on Wheels program. Grab and Go meals offer them the flexibility they need, with the same nutrition and variety, without having to worry if they’ll be home for deliveries.
The Grab and Go program started during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the AgeSpan nutrition department had to pause community dining programs. In-person dining is back five days a week at 21 locations in AgeSpan’s service area, but the Grab and Go program remains because it reaches a population of people who may not otherwise have been able to receive meals. Participants can check out the menu for the week online and sign up to pick up meals as often as they would like.
The program is also a great fit for active older adults who are not interested in sitting down for a meal at a senior center. Many who participate in fitness classes or other programs at AgeSpan partner sites will ask if there are any extra meals and grab one or two to take home. Grab and Go meals are currently offered at three locations in the AgeSpan service area.
For Susan, and others like her, the Grab and Go meal program is more than just a convenience. It’s a source of nourishment and support during an incredibly challenging time.
“The day Susan shared her story with me, we both teared up,” says Chapinski. “You can see it in her eyes – how much she wants her husband to get better and how grateful she is for these meals. It’s just another reminder of why we do this work.”
Funding for congregate dining and grab and go meals at AgeSpan partner sites comes from the Federal Government through the Older Americans Act and consumer donations. If you are interested in learning more about grab and go meals, contact your local senior center or council on aging.
