Town of Cohasset Volunteers Prepare Meals For Elderly Residents in Need During COVID-19 Pandemic

COHASSET — Town Manager Christopher Senior and Cohasset Elder Affairs are pleased to report the success of a food delivery program for elderly residents that has seen staff and volunteers shopping, cooking and delivering meals every other week since April.

The program, run through Cohasset Elder Affairs, was an idea that started with the staff at CEA as a safe alternative to keep elderly residents out of grocery stores and safe from the COVID-19 virus. The program provides free pre-made meals that are delivered directly to elderly residents by a group of volunteers.

Meals are available for any elderly Cohasset resident in need.

“During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic we understand how difficult it can be for our elderly residents to go grocery shopping in high risk areas,” Town Manager Senior said. “We want to alleviate some of the stress during this unprecedented time to provide a good meal to our elderly residents that is delivered right to their door.”

Every other Friday since April, staff at Cohasset Elder Affairs have been meeting in the CEA kitchen to prepare over 60 meals that will be picked up later in the day by volunteers and delivered to elderly residents before dinner time.

All meals are prepared and packaged by Cohasset Elder Affairs’ staff with only one or two workers in the kitchen at a time due to social distance regulations. 

“We try to make a lot of homestyle meals and also something that can be easily reheated or saved for a later day,” said Elder Affairs Director Nancy Lafauce. “In the past we have done various types of chicken dishes, Asian cuisine, meatloaf and shepherd’s pie. We want to provide our residents with delicious food that is easy to prepare.”

The Cohasset Elder Affairs staff hope to serve more residents in need for their next meal on Friday, Sept. 4. The meal is expected to be barbecue chicken, sausage, mashed potatoes, corn and homemade cookies.

“We know this is a very difficult time for all residents, and especially the elderly, and we are excited to offer a program strictly designed to benefit them,” Town Manager Senior said. “We are extremely proud to help serve our community through this meals program, and will continue to take care of all our residents in need throughout the pandemic and beyond.”

Residents who would like to participate in the meals program are encouraged to reach out to Director Lafauce at nlafauce@cohassetma.org or 781-383-9112 ext. 7319.

Click here to learn more about Cohasset Elder Affairs. All requests as part of the senior meals program are kept confidential and are used for planning purposes only.

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