LaCrosse senior meal to remain

After a successful pilot program, the LaCrosse senior meal is set to become permanent. The meal will continue to be served the first and third Tuesdays each month at the LaCrosse Café.

“I know Darlene (Kates) has been cooking like a crazy person back there in the kitchen during these meals, so it is very generous and gracious of her to agree to do more,” said Paige Collins, executive director at the Council on Aging. “It’s really becoming what could be a wonderful asset to our small community of LaCrosse.”

The first senior meal at LaCrosse March 21 saw 26 people come to the meal site. The second senior meal April 4 brought 40 people.

Collins said she sees the potential for the meal to continue to grow as it is established permanently.

“So many of those folks who came told us that they knew at least one other person who would love it, and who needs the healthy meal and the time out of their house with other folks from their community,” she said.

The Council on Aging has senior meal sites at several communities across the county, but the LaCrosse site is the first to be in a restaurant. The Council on Aging provides the food for the meals, at no cost to the LaCrosse Café, and the café provides the space and kitchen and cooks the meal. The café also continues to run its normal operation during the senior meal.

The meal is free to seniors, though there is a suggested donation of $4.25 to help cover the cost.

COAST also provides transportation to those in need of a ride to the meal, though nobody has utilized the service yet. The transportation service is free and can be booked by calling 509-397-2935.

Next senior community meal in LaCrosse will be May 2 at noon.