Cornwall launches take-home meal program for seniors

CORNWALL — Homemade Meals 2 Go began providing frozen dinner to seniors living in Cornwall this month.

The new program, under the leadership of Selectman Jennifer Markow and Park and Recreation Chair Michelle Shipp, allows senior citizens to order three entrees and six side dishes from a menu of options.

Park and Rec has hosted senior luncheons and breakfasts for more than five years prior to launching the take-home program. Markow and Shipp said they noticed how appreciative the recipients were for getting “real, homemade meals” and decided to expand the dining options to include grab-and-go freezable dinners.

Shipp and Markow do all the shopping for local ingredients and then cook the meals at the Parish House. Both are licensed through Torrington Area Health for the meal program.

The first round of distribution took place at the United Church of Christ’s Parish House Sunday, Nov. 3. In total, 31 seniors came to pick up dinners.

Resident Pat Thibault found the program “exciting” and was looking forward to eating the food. “They are good cooks so I know the food is going to be delicious.”

“It’s wonderful,” said resident Lynn La Porta. “Just knowing those meals are there during bad weather, you know we’re out in the country... and this makes a huge difference.”

The November menu included pulled pork, meat lasagna and vegetable lasagna as the main courses. Side options were mac ‘n cheese, roasted veggies, seasoned corn and green beans.

Homemade Meals 2 Go provides the dinners free of charge to senior Cornwall Food Pantry clients. For all other Cornwall seniors, the cost is $15 per order.

A grant from the Cornwall Foundation and sponsorship from the Cornwall Association helped bring the effort together.

The program will return in December with a new menu. Visit www.cornwallassociation.org/homemade-meals-2-go for more info.