More than 1,700 frozen meals were given out free to senior citizens Monday, April 19, in Deerwood, as part of a program to help seniors eat more healthy and nutritious food.
Partially funded under a contract with the Central Minnesota Council on Aging as part of the Older Americans Act, the program is administered by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud.
The food distribution is usually located at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center but recent road construction in Crosby has made it difficult for motorists to travel there.
The meals are for anyone who is 60 years old and above with no income guidelines. The food comes in pre-packed bags of 10 meals and each recipient can receive up to 30 meals a month. Next month's distribution will be at the Deerwood Auditorium at 11 a.m. May 17.
1/3: Volunteers Danny Goodwin (left), Lee Russell, and Mark Allard carry frozen food from a trailer Monday, April 19, 2021, in Deerwood during a senior food pantry. Over 1700 frozen meals were given to seniors at the drive-thru food distribution. Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
2/3: Macy Dotty (left) with Cuyuna Regional Medical Center hands a box of frozen dinners to volunteer Mark Allard Monday, April 19, 2021, during a senior frozen food pantry in Deerwood. Over 1700 meals were distributed to seniors. Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
3/3: Volunteer Lee Russell unloads a trailer filled with frozen meals destined for area seniors Monday, April 19, 2021 in Deerwood. Steve Kohls / Brainerd Dispatch
I was raised on a farm in western Minnesota where I participated in 4-H, high school sports, and everything that farm kids do for fun after chores. Graduated from Ridgewater Community College with an AA degree and my first taste of newspapering. I worked a summer on the Ortonville Independent as a reporter and photographer.
