A lunch out at a New West eatery is more than a meal for local seniors – it is a sign that somebody cares.
As part of the Seniors Services Society’s social meals program, River’s Reach Pub served up a free festive holiday lunch for 20 low-income seniors on Dec. 10. Along with a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, each of the seniors left with a gift basket filled with treats, handcrafted items to keep them warm in the chilly weather, and gift certificates.
“They reached out to us about two months ago and said they wanted to do something for seniors and community in New West who are not able to get out for a hot meal,” said Alison Silgardo, chief executive officer of the Seniors Services Society of B.C. “We did bring one group of seniors over in our bus, and we were thinking it would just be a community meal.”
To everyone’s surprise, River’s Reach Pub had coordinated gifts for all the seniors who attended that first social meal event at the uptown business.
One of the attendees at that event told the Seniors Services Society it was “one of the most remarkable experiences” of his life.
“They made me feel like royalty. I was treated to delicious appetizers, a chicken pizza, and desserts, and even received prize tickets—I went home with a new pair of slippers! I truly felt like the King of England that day,” he said in a statement to the society. “I’m so appreciative of this unforgettable experience."
Elexias Henderson, a server who coordinates the event, said the pub is happy to support the Seniors Services Society.
“We love supporting the seniors,” she said. “This is very important.”
Some of the attendees at the first lunch at River’s Reach were among the crowd attending the Christmas luncheon on Dec. 10.
Ruby Kleine, who has attended a number of the society’s social meals, proudly displayed a jacked she had received at the previous lunch at the pub. Kleine said the food and friendship served up at the outings mean a lot to seniors.
“Somebody cares,” she said.
Like Kleine, Jerry Barber enjoys the social meal program. He received a much-needed throw blanket as a gift at the first luncheon at River’s Reach.
“I have been using it ever since,” he said. “I haven’t stopped using it since I left this restaurant. It's fantastic.”
Barber said he enjoys the opportunity to meet with folks who are of same age and in the same life situation.
“It's very meaningful. It's incredible,” he said. “What they're doing here is amazing.”
Aleksandar Djosich said he enjoys the food and the friendship offered at the social meals program.
“It's always good to be around people,” he said.
More than a meal
The Seniors Services Society hosts social meals to reduce isolation and loneliness amongst seniors who may not be able to afford a meal out. Seniors are transported to the events via the New West-based society’s bus.
“We normally take the seniors to the Century House. That was at the invitation of the city, to bring seniors to Century House who wouldn't otherwise connect there,” Silgardo said. “We were able to offer a complimentary lunch and a takeaway sandwich for dinner. We had been doing that over the summer.”
Silgardo said the gatherings at Century House focused on various needs. In one case, seniors were given cooling pads as part of the city’s efforts to help prepare them for hot weather.
“It was to bring people who wouldn't otherwise access community services to the city and to bring them in,” she said. “One of the pieces of that was bus was to bring them in for a meal that was subsidized or free, and then the city would also supplement it with a program that was specific to that particular group. “
Silgardo said the mood of the social meals program is “energized.” While the people don’t know each other when they arrive, she said it is not unusual to see people exchanging phone numbers or making plans to meet for coffee.
“That’s what it is intended to do.”
Donations to the Seniors Services Society can be made online or by calling the Seniors Services Society at 604-520-6621.
Santa for Seniors
In addition to providing two social meals (and gifts) for the Seniors Services of Society this fall, River’s Reach Pub has also been participating in the society’s Santa for Seniors holiday fundraiser. Anyone providing a gift for a senior will receive a 20 per cent discount off their meal on the day they bring a gift.
“River’s Reach has tried very hard to support seniors,” Silgardo said. “It's been just overwhelming their outreach and support for seniors and New Westminster.”
Christmas trees at three locations in New West are adorned with the names of seniors who would welcome gifts this Christmas, as well as some gift ideas. In addition to River’s Reach Pub (320 Sixth St.), Santa for Seniors’ trees were also set up in London Drugs (555 Sixth St.) and the Dollar Store With More (811 Carnarvon St.)
According to Silgardo, the Seniors Services Society expects to distribute gifts to about 300 seniors this year through the Santa for Seniors program. That includes items donated at the three tree locations, as well as gifts provided by the Rotary club.
“People are very generous, very giving,” she said.
Some gifts have already been distributed but items will continue to be distributed until Dec. 20.
The Santa for Seniors campaign invites people to purchase small gifts for homeless and low-income seniors, who might not otherwise receive one, but it also aims to raise $100,000. Funds will be used to help seniors 60 years+ navigate housing and support services so that they can live independently with dignity.
“The high cost of living, and lack of affordable housing has greatly affected seniors,” Silgardo said. “We use the proceeds from Santa for Seniors campaign to not only provide small practical gifts and holiday meals, but to replenish items needed for our Temporary Housing program, which runs year-round.”
