Started in 1986, the Senior Food Programs create a supportive social setting for senior citizens by providing early dinners and cultural activities each weekday and foster interaction with young people through meal-sharing, tutoring and recreational activities.

The Senior Food Programs-the only meal programs held in public school cafeterias-serve on average 225 early dinners each weekday to senior citizens in the dining facilities of two public schools, P.S. 154 in Harlem and P.S. 134 on the Lower East Side. In addition, the programs provide educational, cultural and recreational activities, such as exercise classes, nutrition workshops, dance lessons, site visits, trips and movies, as well as information sessions on social and financial benefits for seniors. Approximately 2,000 seniors are registered; one must be at least 60 years old to qualify.

The Senior Food Programs are offered between 3:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. each weekday that the two public schools are in session, as well as during the summer.

The Harlem program includes interaction with young people, bringing seniors together with about 50 youngsters. Seniors have an opportunity to mentor and advise the younger generation while the teenagers get to assist aging people and gain hands-on social work experience. Joint activities include tutoring children between the ages of 5 and 13 and participating in exercise, music, arts and crafts, other cultural activities and homework assistance.

For more information, contact Jesse Taylor, Senior Director, Community Kitchen/Senior Meals, at jtaylor@foodchange.org.