CHICOPEE – After starting the program during the pandemic, RiverMills Senior Center has continued to operate their curbside meal pick-up program for Chicopee residents ages 55 and over.

Director of the RiverMills Senior Center Sherry Manyak detailed how the program has evolved since debuting last year. “Originally, it started due to the pandemic. We had to cancel our congregate meal program, so we felt the need to still provide food for older adults,” said Manyak. With congregate meals still being unavailable, Manyak shared that the curbside program has continued to be an essential service for RiverMills.

Serving an estimated 150 to 200 people daily, RiverMills has utilized this program to expand upon their previous meal offerings. Manyak explained that the curbside meals are serving nearly double the patrons than the congregate offerings did, with the center selling the daily meals at an affordable $3 price.

According to Manyak, each meal is crafted inside the RiverMills kitchen, utilizing a daily menu that provides a plethora of hearty staples over a weekly period. Some of the meal offerings include chicken Parmesan with broccoli, beef and vegetable biscuit bake and sausage grinders topped with aromatic peppers and onions.

An essential part of RiverMills’ services is staying connected with their clientele and being attentive to their needs. “We post everything on social media and our website, and we also provide a menu for the following week for everyone who gets a lunch. People can also call a day before to order their meal,” said Manyak.

The center director shared that the organization listens intently to positive and negative feedback from patrons about the meals and adjusts accordingly.
RiverMills also provides seasonal offerings for the festive holidays. Manyak shared that program offered a Thanksgiving dinner that served 550 patrons. The program will also offer a Christmas-themed meal over the coming weeks, with interested readers now able to sign-up ahead of time for the meal.

Readers can participate in the RiverMills curbside meal program by contacting 534-3698. Updates regarding the Christmas-themed meal and RiverMills weekly meal schedule can be found at their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ChicopeecouncilonAging.