TRAVERSE CITY -- Bunny Sanford went out for lunch with her husband and friends for a meal of Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes and vegetables -- all without stepping foot in a restaurant.
They're patrons of the Traverse City Senior Center's lunch program, which offers meals each weekday at noon.
"When you're down to one or two people at home, it's a lot less expensive than going out and buying everything for the meal," said Sanford, a Traverse City resident. "It's hard to cook for one or two."
It's convenient, well-balanced and cheaper than a McDonald's value meal. A $2.50 donation is requested of seniors 60 and older and their spouses; everyone else pays a $5 charge.
The senior center has hosted the program, operated by the Northwest Michigan Human Services Agency, for more than 30 years, said Vi Brott, the agency's Meals on Wheels director.
"It was really designed initially as a wellness program, so we serve well-balanced meals, but the program is for everybody, it's not just for low-income people," she said.
Senior Center Director Lori Wells estimates fewer than 30 people a day show up for the meal, but she'd like to see between 50 and 80.
"Now, with economic times the way they are, we want seniors to be aware of this food program," she said.
The program is largely federally funded, so it's important to keep participant numbers up to keep the dollars coming, she said.
The human services agency provides 23 luncheon centers in five area counties, including ones at Riverview Terrace apartments and Grand Traverse Pavilions.
The meals are meant to provide seniors with more than just nutritional value.
"Just getting people out and being with other people and socializing also has health benefits," Brott said.
Traverse City resident Wilma King said she likes to get out and keep busy.
"I like the food and the people," she said.
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