$3.7
Million Recovery Act Funding awarded to
revolutionize Nutrition Programs for Older
Pennsylvanians
HARRISBURG, PA, April 2010-- Governor Edward G. Rendell says that $3.7 million in grants
will be awarded to senior centers to help
revolutionize nutrition services for older
Pennsylvanians.
"The grants provide us with an opportunity
to help senior centers develop innovative
nutrition programs that will help attract a
new generation of older Pennsylvanians,"
said Governor Rendell.
"Projects ranged from upgrading kitchens
with energy efficient equipment, to creating
more comfortable cafe environments, to
improving meals with garden-fresh produce."
The funding will go to 47 projects in 42
counties selected through a competitive
grant application process and is provided
through the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act. There were more than 160
grant applications.
"These improvements are long overdue as many
senior and community centers with meal
programs have declined throughout the past
decade," said Secretary of Aging John
Michael Hall. "We need to start preparing
now for the many baby boomers that will
later enter our long-term living system."
The grants were awarded to innovative
programs like a greenhouse in Northumberland
County to grow fresh produce, a community
garden in Philadelphia, a mobile nutrition
program in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna
and Tioga counties and an Internet Cafe in
Fayette County.
The department expects that the preferences
of baby boomers will be markedly different
than those of today's seniors. The grants
will greatly enhance the state's ability to
provide good meals in a way that meets the
growing demand for modern nutrition
programs.
"For many older people, the chance to go to
a comfortable, attractive senior center for
a nutritious meal and to socialize with
peers makes a huge difference in their
quality of life, their health and their
happiness," said Hall.
The commonwealth invests more than $65
million every year to ensure that more than
100,000 older Pennsylvanians get nutritious
meals to help them stay healthy, fit and
active.
A complete list of the grant recipients is
available on the front page of the
Department of Aging's Web site at
www.aging.state.pa.us.
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