Central Colorado Area Agency on Aging has reintroduced its congregate meals at 6266 Cleora Road, with a new, interim nutrition director, Mo Montgomery.
Tom McConaghy, CCAAA director, explained that the nutrition program for congregate meals ended during the COVID-19 pandemic due to health requirements, and they didn’t reopen sooner because the location at the time wasn’t Americans with Disabilities Act compliant. They had plans to build their present building for a while, McConaghy said. “We knew we’d have much bigger space for people to get in, a bigger kitchen … it was just the timing.”
The process for signing up for the program is the same, he said. Those older than 60 who are interested in signing up can come in during office hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursdays, or meal times from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Montgomery grew up in Aurora and studied at Johnson & Wales University in Denver. She is also a certified executive chef with 20 years of experience. “I’ve managed every kind of food service program,” she said. In her current position, she oversees the congregate programs and Meals on Wheels.
While she fills in the vacant position, she said she hopes to find savings with their purchases and build relationships with the community. She also values locally sourced food and inclusivity. “I’m just thrilled to be working with the seniors in Colorado, and I’m thrilled to be in this mountainous region,” she said.
She also values food sustainability and local procurement. Montgomery added that CCAAA’s mission is to combat loneliness among seniors, build community with peers and introduce resources.
CCAAA also does home-delivered meals, commonly known as Meals on Wheels. In the near future, there will be a major expansion to the areas served, McConaghy said. Montgomery added that the delivery service can act as a check-in system. “If no one answers the door, we check in and make sure they’re OK.”
Sabrina Porter, operations support and volunteer coordinator, also mentioned future events CCAAA is planning with the Intergenerational Task Force, which she said will be education focused, with older adults sharing their life experiences and stories with younger generations. It will not be limited to children, she added.
CCAAA’s next event will be a Church Leadership Roundtable from 2-5 p.m. May 15 in the congregate room, which will include brainstorming what resources are available to local church leaders to support the community.