Free meal program available to Tucson seniors

The nonprofit’s Healthy Aging initiative has expanded its congregate meal program to offer free nutritious lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays at Casa de Encanto, 250 N. Silverbell Rd.

“CPLC provides services with a holistic approach to address the needs within the senior population. They have access to a comprehensive range of services that includes housing, nutrition, mental health, exercise and a strong community. We are big on providing emotional, physical and social support,” said Lori Mejia, Vice President of Social Services and Education in Arizona for CPLC.

Mejia emphasized that the CPLC Healthy Aging program is dedicated to promoting the importance of nutrition in preventing and managing conditions such as heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes — conditions that impact upwards of 60 percent of seniors nationwide, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Since nutrition is a core element in ensuring that seniors age well, the congregate meals menu offers fresh, high-quality ingredients geared toward different tastes through Chinese, Italian, Mexican, French and American cuisine.

“By offering healthier versions of familiar dishes, we ensure seniors can enjoy foods they love. Eating these meals together fosters community and connection,” Mejia said.

Meals are served to the public in the dining room/community center of Casa de Encanto, the federally-subsidized apartments designated specifically for the elderly and mobility-impaired living at 60 percent or less of the area median income. The meals are also offered to residents at nearby Casa Del Pueblo.

Access is convenient for seniors who often face transportation difficulties and may lack regular contact with family and friends. Food is the ideal avenue to reach them, according to Melanie Cornejo, Lead Wellness coordinator for Casa de Encanto.

“Whether someone is feeling down or sick or there is a celebration or gathering, there is always a food component involved in our community, especially in the Latino and Hispanic culture. And many of the residents we serve have a love for cooking ... it is a common thing that brings the community together,” Cornejo said.

She said the meals are also a huge help for seniors on fixed incomes, many of whom use the lunch as their main meal of the day.

“They express a lot of heartfelt gratitude for the services we provide; and not just the meals, but the other resources. We bring in health education and guidance from community partners to keep them informed about issues like dementia awareness and fall prevention. We also offer different activities workshops and classes to keep them motivated and active,” Cornejo said.

During the 2023-2024 year, the program served more than 1,109 seniors locally; it is currently serving 80 meals daily and would like to continue expanding and building partnerships with Pima Council on Aging and other local nonprofits.

Cornejo said that the Healthy Aging program is all about promoting emotional, mental, physical and social well-being to optimize health and wellness.

“It helps to battle the isolation that so many seniors experience. We try to create a welcoming atmosphere to give people a sense of belonging and reassure them that we want them to feel safe. It is a safe and open space where they can express themselves and come together and feel social. We don’t want any negativity,” she said.

The camaraderie is truly inspiring, according to Cornejo. She said that participants frequently contribute plates of appetizers and/or condiments to add to the festive atmosphere.

“They like to ramp up the meals with platters of limes, avocado and salsa and share amongst themselves. It’s nice to see how engaged they are with neighbors,” she said.

Ultimately, Mejia is working to promote public awareness about the CPLC Healthy Aging program and other initiatives of the community development organization, including monthly distribution of food for seniors.

“We need help getting the word out. Lots of people don’t know this is a resource that is available to them. We have the capacity to provide more meals to more seniors but we need more visibility,” she said.

The program is also in need of volunteers and in-kind donations such as hygiene products for participants. For more information about enrolling in the congregate meals program and other services or about volunteering, contact Melanie Cornejo at Casa de Encanto at 520-310-6716.