Office for the Aging Receives $6,000 Grant from the NNYCF to Support Senior Nutrition Programs

LOWVILLE, NY – The Lewis County Office for the Aging (OFA) is pleased to announce that it has received a $6,000 grant from the Northern New York Community Foundation to purchase commercial refrigeration equipment for the kitchen at the Double Play Community Center in Lowville. The equipment will support the County’s senior nutrition programs, which provide meals to older adults throughout the community.

The funding will help address the critical equipment needed in the commercial kitchen used to prepare meals for older adults throughout Lowville and surrounding communities in Lewis County. The existing commercial freezer has experienced mechanical issues and is operating at reduced capacity, creating challenges for food storage, meal preparation, and daily operations.

The Office for the Aging partners with Fred McManus Catering to provide both congregate dining opportunities and home-delivered meals. These programs play an essential role in helping older adults maintain proper nutrition, remain independent, and stay connected to their community.

The demand for these services continues to demonstrate their importance. The Nutrition program with Lewis County Office for the Aging typically prepares and serves more than 4,000 meals each month through its community dining sites and home-delivered meal programs.

“This generous investment from the Northern New York Community Foundation and their funders will help us continue providing nutritious meals and dependable services to older adults in our community,” said Carla Hellinger, Director of the Lewis County Office for the Aging. “Our nutrition programs are about much more than providing a healthy meal. They help support independence, promote well-being, and create opportunities for social connection. We are extremely grateful for this support and for our continued partnership with the McManus Family.”

The Double Play Community Center serves as an important community resource, providing commercial kitchen facilities for meal preparation while offering additional opportunities for socialization, recreation, physical activity, and wellness programming at their congregate dining site located in Lowville.

The grant-supported equipment purchase will strengthen the kitchen’s ability to safely store food, maintain efficient meal preparation, and support the continued delivery of nutrition services. The Office for the Aging anticipates coordinating the purchase and installation of the equipment in the coming months, with the goal of supporting uninterrupted meal operations and future program growth.

The Lewis County Office for the Aging extends its sincere appreciation to the Northern New York Community Foundation for recognizing the importance of nutrition services and investing in the health and well-being of Lewis County’s older residents.

About the Lewis County Office for the Aging

The Lewis County Office for the Aging provides programs and services designed to promote the independence, health, safety, and quality of life of older adults throughout Lewis County. Its nutrition programs include community dining opportunities and home-delivered meals that support healthy aging and help older residents remain connected to their communities.

For more information:

Lewis County Office for the Aging
5274 Outer Stowe Street, PO Box 193
Lowville, NY 13367
Phone: 315-376-5300
Email: carlahellinger@lewiscounty.ny.gov