After more than a year of empty tables and chairs at Silver Cafés in Spokane County, Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels will begin reopening its cafes on Tuesday.
“It’s a pretty monumental setback to a lifeline for nutrition and socialization,” director Jeff Edwards said.
When the pandemic hit and the Silver Cafes had to close, each and every one of those who went to one of the stalls and had lunch every day of the week had the opportunity to receive food on wheels.
Many have, but this option hasn’t worked for some more active seniors, Edwards said. GSCMOW introduced a Diner’s Choice program, with grants and pandemic funds, that featured vouchers for seniors for a single meal to use at local restaurants.
The Diner’s Choice program will close now that the cafes will reopen, Edwards said. The program spent approximately $700,000 on restaurants for its execution. Edwards said he was pleased that the program helped seniors get nutritious food while supporting local restaurants when they needed a boost.
“It’s a wonderful victory,” he said of the program.
The 12 Silver Café locations in Spokane County will begin opening Tuesday, though the schedule hasn’t been finalized in some places, Williams said the program will be a little different in some places, rather than offering a hot lunch five days a week. , some sites will serve lunches once or twice a week and send diners home with takeout on the other days.
Edwards said the organization recognizes that it can be tricky for seniors to arrange transportation to food five times a week, especially in more rural areas, and that it’s getting to coffee twice a week.
“This is a lesson we have learned from the pandemic through food distribution,” he said.
Meal sites will also offer a delight closer to dinner, with seniors with a selection of soups, a salad bar on certain days and a selection of drinks.
“We need to reshape the experience,” Edwards said.
Food sites will stick to COVID guidelines, Edwards said, so other fully vaccinated people don’t have to wear masks. A user is believed to be fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving an instant injection.
“We have more in some options and the elders can get out themselves,” he said.
Edwards said it’s vital to wait to open the Silver Cafes rather than looking to open them on a limited basis.
“We tried to wait until Washington was given the green light so other people could trust each other,” he said.
The recommended contribution remains $5 consistent with the meal, however, Edwards said the amount is a suggestion.
“Other seniors pay only what they can, if at all,” he said.
With the existing warm weather, GSCMOW has collected donated enthusiasts to give to seniors who want them to stay cool at home.
“The network responded well,” Edwards said.
The ventilators are distributed to seniors who get food delivered to their homes and also to seniors who come to the sites of the silver coffees, Edwards said.
“We can have enthusiasts on the site,” he said. If they want a fan, we’re going to have one to send home with them. “
Edwards said he was pleased to see the cafes reopen after such a long hiatus.
“We’re excited to be collecting meals again,” he said. This is a big component of our mission. “
Silver Cafes open five days a week are: Hillyard Senior Center, 4001 N. Cook, 11 a. M. A 1 p. M. Monday through Friday on Tuesday; Clare View Senior Living, 4827 S. Palouse Highway, 11 a. m. to 1 p. m. Monday through Friday beginning Tuesday; and Spokane Valley Senior Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place, 11 a. m. -1 p. m. Monday through Friday, start date to be determined.
Other Silver Café locations serving hot meals and takeout are: American Indian Center, 1025 W. Indiana, 11 a. m. -1 p. m. Tuesday and Thursday Tuesday; Corbin Senior Center, 827 W. Cleveland Ave. , 11 a. m. -1 p. m. Monday and Wednesday, July 12; Appleway Court, 221 S. Farr Road, 11 a. m. to 1 p. m. on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning Wednesday; Opportunity Presbyterian Church, 202 N. Pines Road, 11 a. m. to 1 p. m. Tuesday and Thursday from Tuesday; Église catholique St. Mary, 602 E. Sixth Street, Deer Park, 11 a. m. a. 1 p. m. Monday and Thursday from July 12; Spangle Service Club, 165 N. Main Street, Spangle, 11 a. m. -1 p. m. Monday beginning July 19.
Additional locations will be added to Cheney, Airway Heights and Liberty Lake. For more information about sites that do not yet have a schedule or location, call GSMOW at (509) 924-6976 or www. gscmealsonwheels. org/sliver-cafes.