The birthday lunches are back.
The popular $10 hot lunches, with birthday cake for dessert, at the Danube Seniors Leisure Centre every month were put on hold after the centre’s volunteer kitchen co-ordinator moved away.
Volunteer Robert Ben has stepped by to take the chef’s hat, kicking off the first monthly lunch Thursday, with helpings of meatloaf, mashed potatoes and vegetables.
Beyond a social afternoon for local seniors, the lunches are also a major fundraiser for the centre.
It has been a learning experience and a communal effort, said Jan Evans, co-ordinator at the centre.
“We have our own corps of volunteers who show up on Wednesday to peel potatoes, do the shopping,” Evans said.
But it is the overseeing of the kitchen, the cooking and the co-ordination to feed up to 100 people that eat up the most time. Ben has given up more than a day of his regular job to help the seniors.
“It means a lot to us to know a person cares about the seniors so much,” Evans said.
Before he came into the picture, centre member Elke Pitkin continued to run the smaller soup-and-sandwich lunches during the week, serving 35 people, but there was no one willing and able to do the planning, cooking and co-ordination for the bigger monthly lunches.
There was a full house for the luncheon on Thursday, a festive atmosphere — and a commitment by Ben to continue to fill the role.
“He’s already talking about September,” said Evans.
During the summer months, the centre at 715 Simcoe Rd. offers alternatives to the birthday lunch. In July, the members will enjoy cold cuts and salads, and in August, an indoor barbecue. For more information on the centre and its programs, call 905-775-0612.
