Congregate Lunch Program

The Congregate Lunch Program is a federally funded congregate meal program, established by the Older Americans Act of 1965. The purpose of this program is to bring our senior center members together to socialize while enjoying a well-balanced, nutritious meal.

November 2023 Lunch Menu

December 2023 Lunch Menu

Congregate Meal Sites

McFaul Activity Center (Bel Air)
525 W. MacPhail Road, Bel Air, MD 21014
410-638-4040
Lunch offered Monday through Friday at noon

Edgewood Activity Center
1000 Gateway Road, Edgewood, MD 21040
410-612-1622
Lunch offered several days a week at noon

Havre de Grace Activity Center
351 Lewis Lane, Havre de Grace, MD 21078
410-939-5121
Lunch offered several days a week at noon

Roni Chenowith Activity Center (Fallston)
1707 Fallston Road, Fallston, MD 21047
410-638-3260
Lunch offered several times per month at noon

How and when do I sign up for lunch?

You can sign up using the lunch list located in each center, or you can call your center to place your reservation. We must receive your reservation by 10:00 a.m. two business days prior to the meal. For example, to dine on Monday, you must sign up no later than 10:00 a.m. the previous Thursday; to dine on Tuesday, sign up no later than 10:00 a.m. the previous Friday, and so on. Some "special" meals, like our holiday meals, may require a reservation of up to five days in advance.

What if I forget to sign up in time?

If you wish to dine on a particular day, but did not sign up in advance, please inform staff that you wish to be placed on the "standby" list. If we have last-minute cancellations, a meal may be available to you after all reserved lunches have been served. We cannot guarantee that "standby" meals will be available on any given day, so please have a backup plan for your lunch.

Can anyone sign up for lunch?

The lunch program is open to all senior center members. Guests may participate in the meal by completing a visitor form. Please see the front desk for a visitor form. Reservations for senior center members and guests must be made within the same guidelines noted above.

Is the meal free?

The congregate meal is not intended as a free program. For those over age 60, a suggested contribution of $3.00* towards the cost of the meal is suggested. However, no one over age 60 is turned away because of the inability to make a contribution towards the meal. For those under age 60, the cost of the meal is $5.00*.
*Please note that the suggested contribution and meal cost amounts are subject to change based on the cost of providing the meal.

How do I pay for lunch or make a donation?

If you are under age 60, please pay for your lunch at the front desk. For participants over age 60, each center has a designated contribution bucket or box to collect anonymous donations. If you are unable to make a donation, you are still entitled to your lunch.

How do I know what you are serving?

The lunch menu for the month is available at every center and at the top of this page of the website. Please note that occasionally, all or a portion of the meal may change due to unforeseen circumstances.

Are the meals cooked at the center?

No. We work with a qualified food vendor to bring the hot and cold meals served at the centers. These meals are approved by a Registered Dietician to meet 1/3 of the current USDA/HHS Dietary Guidelines and current Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) as established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Science National Research Council.

What time is lunch served?

Lunch is served at noon at every location. Please note we cannot "hold" meals past our lunch service for those who are not available to dine at that time.

Does every senior center location serve lunch daily?

No. Despite our desire to serve lunch at every location Monday through Friday at every senior center, we must have a minimum of ten people on the lunch reservation list 48 business hours ahead of the meal service to provide lunch. Not all locations meet that minimum consistently. For centers who do not serve daily, please call your center to confirm if lunch will be served on any given day, and be ready to have a backup plan for your lunch.

I signed up for lunch, but now I need to cancel. Do I need to call the center?

Yes, we appreciate a call to the center where you made your lunch reservation as soon as you know you need to cancel. This helps us know if we can offer the meal to another member or if we will have unserved meals on a given day. Please know that every meal ordered and not eaten costs the Office on Aging approximately $5.00, so we appreciate knowing if you cannot participate.

Can I take home leftover food?

In the interest of food safety, perishable food may not be taken out of the center. The following items from your own meal may be taken out of the center - bread, cake, cookies or uncut fresh fruit. Please see staff with any questions.