Meals for ME is the nutrition program of Eastern Area Agency on Aging. Noontime meals are served to persons 60 and older in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock and Washington counties, either through home delivery or in a community dining room.

The meals are delicious, and well-balanced, meeting one third of the Recommended Daily Allowance of nutrients. The monthly menus are varied offering such healthy favorites as macaroni and cheese, roast turkey, and fish chowder.

Meals for ME provides good nutrition to seniors who otherwise might not eat a balanced diet. Some seniors can simply no longer make a meal, some are living alone now and have no desire to cook for one. And variety is difficult to achieve when making small meals.

Whatever the reason, Meals for ME fits the bill. The home delivery clients always have smiles on their faces for the volunteer delivery driver. And the community dining rooms are full of good food and good cheer.

There are dozens of Meals for ME community dining rooms in Eastern Area Agency on Aging's four county service area.

Church basements, grange halls, and assorted community club houses are temporarily turned into “mini restaurants” by dedicated staff and volunteers. These meal sites offer companionship, sociability, and a chance to meet with peers.

Lunch has never been so much fun. Patrons usually come early to chat and catch up on town gossip or play games.

Often more than lunch is offered at the dining rooms, such as bingo, speakers, card games, and auctions. Generally most holidays are celebrated leaving patrons with a festive feeling. Friendships are made that can last a lifetime.

Meals for ME serves approximately 84,000 meals to 2,300 individuals annually in close to 50 community dining rooms.

Around noon, daily in most places, dedicated volunteers deliver Meals for ME meals to seniors who are homebound. These seniors have no one to prepare regular meals and can not cook for themselves.

The drivers, some of whom do the same route time after time, often become like family to the seniors. Greeted with a smile, these drivers sometimes bring extra treats for the senior, like cookies or treats for the pets.

The program is available for the short term, as in the case of surgery recovery, or for the long term, such as for seniors who are chronically ill, frail or very elderly.

The delivery person always makes contact with the client, which also serves as a brief well-check. The client is guaranteed a friendly smile at least once a day, which can ease the feeling of isolation.

The Meals for ME home delivery program serves 104,000 meals to 1,100 individuals annually.

The recommended donation per meal is $3.00. Food stamps are gladly accepted. The donations help offset our costs. In fact, one out of three meals is made possible through client donations.

To encourage aging parents or neighbors to try Meals for ME, giftbooks of meal tickets are available. A $15.00 donation is recommended for each booklet of 5 meals.

Eligibility requirements for Meals for ME:

• For Home Delivery. The senior must be age 60 plus, and be home bound, or be unable to leave their house without assistance. They must also be unable to prepare a meal for themselves and have no one to prepare it for them.

• For Community Dining Rooms. The senior must be age 60 plus or have a spouse that is at least 60. That is the only requirement for the dining rooms. We do require a reservation, however, to ensure we have enough food for everyone.

Meals for ME is a great way to ensure that an older person has the opportunity for proper nutrition.

• Phone : Bangor area 941-2865 or 1-800-432-7812
• Email:   info@eaaa.org
• Fax:      941-2869
• TTY:     207-992-0150