COVID-19: Its Impacts to Nutrition Services

When we closed our doors to inside activities on March 16, 2020, we had no idea what was in store for us.  Like most organizations we faced unprecedented times and challenges that no one could have imagined. But along with so many in our community, CCOA rose to the challenge. Between mid March and mid September 2019, the center served 18,561 meals. Compare that with the same six-month period, March to September 2020, and our amazing kitchen staff prepared and served over 1,779 more meals during the same period. Moreover, in our entire 2020 fiscal year we served over 4,000 more meals than the previous year!  While this may seem like a small feat, it is important to note that sometimes only two to four people prepare, cook and pack, on average, 140 meals each day. Some days it is lower, but there are days when 180 meals are not unheard of!  This means between home-delivery and curbside pick-up, only a few people are serving up to 180 meals in sometimes just over an hour’s time! Thank goodness we have a such a great dishwasher and some great volunteers! The Board of Directors and I would like to applaud their commitment in serving seniors during such a challenging period in all of our lives. Our heartfelt thanks to entire our staff and volunteers. What each and everyone of them do to ensure that seniors receive at least one nutritious meal each day is truly remarkable! And we couldn't be more proud of their service.