On-site Meals Program

All Seniors are Welcome to Encore’s On-Site Meals Program!

Under the direction of Encore’s experienced and qualified Food Service Manager, and with the assistance of a competent and caring Kitchen Staff and volunteers, 200+ meals are prepared daily. These nutritious, well-balanced meals are served to seniors who attend one of two lunch seatings daily.
All menus follow U.S. dietary standards and guidelines meeting 1/3 of the Recommended Dietary Allowance. Menus are pre-approved by a certified nutritionist from the NYC Department for the Aging, thus guaranteeing that all meals prepared and served at Encore follow strict standards.

In addition to the excellent quality of meals, Encore takes pride in maintaining an atmosphere of hospitality so that seniors may share a meal with friends and interact with staff in a pleasant, caring environment. Encore makes every effort to provide a comfortable setting which helps increases socialization and reduces isolation.

REQUIREMENTS:

All seniors must be 60 years of age or older and must register with Encore as part of the NYC Department for the Aging requirements.

MONTHLY MENUS:

Monthly menus are posted in the Senior Center and listed in the Monthly Senior Newsletter.

SENIOR CENTER ON-SITE MEAL SCHEDULE:

1st Lunch: 11:00 AM
(Tickets for 1st Lunch available until 11:45 AM)

2nd Lunch: 12:30 PM
(Tickets for 2nd Lunch available until 1:15 PM)

A donation of $1.50 is suggested for each person to help offset the cost of the meal. No eligible senior shall be denied a meal for inability or failure to contribute.

ARRIVAL TIME FOR EACH MEAL:

Due to the number of seniors who participate in Encore’s Lunch Program, it is necessary to adhere to time limits in obtaining tickets for each lunch period. This allows kitchen staff to adequately prepare the needed number of meals.

MEAL CHANGES:

Encore makes every effort to adhere to the posted menus. However, there are times when unforeseen events or situations occur (delayed or incorrect food delivery, equipment breakdown, etc.). This may require menu changes. However, whatever revisions are made will adhere to all city & state requirements.

SUBSTITUTES:

Encore will provide substitutes for seniors with religious or health needs which might require a substitution for a menu item.

For more information please contact:

Andy Marcellin,
Culinary Services Manager, amarcellin@encorenyc.org

Creating
Miracles Every Day

“Every human being has a great yet often unknown gift to care, to be compassionate, to become present to the other, to listen, to hear and to receive. If that gift would be set free and made available, miracles could take place.”

–Henri M. Nouwen

“I regained my dignity at Encore 49…before Encore, home was a cardboard box.”

“It’s important for home bound seniors to know someone is there for them…if I get ‘down’ I call my friendly visitor; she always cheers me up.”

“I love all the activities at the Center. I’ve made some good friends here. If I didn’t come here I’d never get any exercise, or such good food.”

“I can forget my aches and pains when I get to the Center. I feel like the staff cares about me.”

“When I miss a lunch one day someone always asks the next day ‘you OK?’ That makes me very happy.”

“I know what it’s like to be homeless. I was out there living on the streets. After 7 years, I was tired of being cold, wet, hungry…it finally got to me.…I think Encore saved my life.”

“Being old, alone and in poor health, I don’t get out so much. I appreciate my meal every day. I don’t know how I would survive without it.”

“Without my escort, I would never be able to go to the doctor.”

“When I moved to Encore West with my best friend ‘Fluffy’, I was overjoyed. I came from an SRO and some people were abusive to me and Fluffy. They had no heart. I will never leave Encore West!”

“There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

–Albert Einstein