REAL Services is dedicated to helping elderly and low-income people become and stay independent for life. If you or someone you love needs help, call REAL Services at 574-233-8205.
By: REAL Services + Home Comfort Experts
For many seniors across Michiana, a hot meal every day isn’t a guarantee. That makes the meal services that REAL Services provides incredibly important.
The Meals and Nutrition program at REAL Services provides meals directly to homebound seniors in Michiana through Meals on Wheels — one of its most popular and well-known programs. REAL Services also offers congregate meal options with its nutrition sites.
The program was initially developed in 1968 in South Bend, but has since spread to all five counties that the nonprofit serves: St. Joseph, Elkhart, Kosciusko, La Porte, and Elkhart counties. Recently, it opened two new sites: 300 S. Main St., North Liberty, and 606 Washington St., Walkerton. The nonprofit is also eyeing two additional potential sites, one in the Pierre Moran area of Elkhart and one on E. Dubail Avenue in South Bend.
At nutrition sites, individuals can make a reservation with the site director at least one day before they’d like to eat. Meals are eaten as a group beginning at 11:30 a.m., but visitors may come as early as 10 a.m. to enjoy a cup of coffee and chat.
Menus are created to not only be nutritious but to meet the dietary needs of people in need — those who are 60 years or older and with a nutrition risk. Meals are donation-based and are geared toward preventing hunger among seniors and ensuring that the community is getting enough food.
If you or someone you know is interested in joining in a meal at one of REAL Services nutrition sites, call your local site manager from the list on the nonprofit’s website. You can also download and fill out a copy of the nutrition site form before your visit.
