FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 24, 2010

New Group Meal Site for Plainfield Seniors Will Open March 1

ELIZABETH, NJ- The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced that beginning March 1st, 50 seniors will enjoy a healthy, hot lunchtime meal at the Plainfield Senior Services Program. Federal stimulus funding awarded to the Union County Department of Human Services, Division on Aging, allowed expansion of the county’s nutrition program for seniors. Union County’s program provides meals that meet all federal nutritional requirements.

“We are pleased to offer this nutritional program to the seniors in the City of Plainfield,” said Freeholder Chairman Daniel P. Sullivan. Union County seniors received 419,740 meals in 2009, delivered through the county’s Meals-on-Wheels (home delivered) and congregate (group) meal programs at senior centers and housing complexes throughout Union County.  Stimulus funds added 18,921 new congregate meals for 740 new senior clients and enabled the county to add the new Plainfield congregate meal site for a total of 25 congregate meal sites.

Prior to the recent opening of the new Senior Citizen Center in Plainfield, 50 box lunches were provided daily to Plainfield seniors beginning last July.  The new site located at 400 East Front Street, Plainfield, will serve 50 hot meals daily.

Given the increasing cost of food, the economic decline, and growing demand for social
Services, the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), known as stimulus funding, was used by Union County to help communities help their senior population maintain a healthy diet.

The Union County Department of Human Services, Division on Aging, offers senior adults age 60 and older,  and their families, with a wide range of health, financial, home care, legal, and educational services. For information and referral services call (888) 280-8226, or visit the Union County website, www.ucnj.org.