$3.7M to be awarded in grants to help revolutionize nutrition services for older Pennsylvanians

Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced that $3.7 million in grants will be awarded to senior centers to help revolutionize nutrition services for older Pennsylvanians.

"The grants provide us with an opportunity to help senior centers develop innovative nutrition programs that will help attract a new generation of older Pennsylvanians," said Governor Rendell. "Projects ranged from upgrading kitchens with energy efficient equipment, to creating more comfortable cafe environments, to improving meals with garden-fresh produce."

The funding will go to 47 projects in 42 counties selected through a competitive grant application process and is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. There were more than 160 grant applications.

"These improvements are long overdue as many senior and community centers with meal programs have declined throughout the past decade," said Secretary of Aging John Michael Hall. "We need to start preparing now for the many baby boomers that will later enter our long-term living system."

The grants were awarded to innovative programs like a greenhouse in Northumberland County to grow fresh produce, a community garden in Philadelphia, a mobile nutrition program in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Tioga counties and an Internet Cafe in Fayette County.

The department expects that the preferences of baby boomers will be markedly different than those of today's seniors. The grants will greatly enhance the state's ability to provide good meals in a way that meets the growing demand for modern nutrition programs.

"For many older people, the chance to go to a comfortable, attractive senior center for a nutritious meal and to socialize with peers makes a huge difference in their quality of life, their health and their happiness," said Hall.

The commonwealth invests more than $65 million every year to ensure that more than 100,000 older Pennsylvanians get nutritious meals to help them stay healthy, fit and active.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor