By Mary, a client of our senior lunch program
As a senior citizen living in San Francisco, I enjoy the San Francisco Downtown Senior Center. On Christmas Day 2013, I walked to the senior center for lunch with friends. Upon arriving, and seeing familiar faces in the dining room, I smiled and said, “I’m so happy to be here with all of you. We’re so lucky to have Christmas lunch prepared by Project Open Hand. Otherwise, I’d be home alone, having a peanut butter and jam sandwich for Christmas.”
Those words certainly resonated with my companions. They smiled, laughed, and gave me knowing looks. “Yes,” they said, nodding their heads. “If it wasn’t for Project Open Hand we’d be eating alone at Christmas.” There is nothing wrong with eating alone – just not all the time, not every day, and especially not on Christmas.
Eating hot, healthy food together – this is the gift of Project Open Hand. Every day, the POH staff and volunteers cook and deliver nutritious meals to 19 senior centers in San Francisco, some of which also serve people with disabilities. People of all ages need company and conversation, both of which benefit seniors while eating Project Open Hand lunches at the senior center.
Our POH Christmas menu included spinach-mandarin salad, roast turkey with gravy, dressing, mashed sweet potatoes, seasoned green beans, and apple pie. What a fabulous feast! Plus, at all POH lunches, each senior citizen is served an eight-ounce carton of milk, and a choice of coffee or tea. Thank you Project Open Hand for your Christmas Meal with Love.
Project Open Hand serves meals with love to seniors 365 days a year. Do you know a senior (age 60+), who could benefit from warm, nourishing meals and companionship? Learn more about our senior lunch program which serves at 19 locations in San Francisco at www.openhand.org/seniors.