The senior fellowship meal will be returning to the McCreary Community Building in Perry at the beginning of October, which is a little later than originally planned.

The weekly meal is being taken over by Perry Lutheran Homes (PLH), which came to the rescue when they found out the program was in danger of shutting down. PLH Admission and Marketing Coordinator Alyssa Poland says they were happy to cooperate with the City in order to keep the weekly social event for seniors going. She adds, the meal fits perfectly with their StepUP! Initiative. “So we were able to partner with the City, to just provide our cooks and dietary staff in order to continue providing those meals. So our dietary department will be working closely with the fellowship meals and everyone who has run that program so far, in order to continue to provide those meals at the McCreary Center.”

Before PLH can get the meals up and running, they must acquire an additional license through the Department of Inspections and Appeals. When the partnership between the assisted living community and the City was first struck, it was thought that the additional service could be added to the food establishment license PLH currently holds for their Spring Valley Campus. However, the parties soon found they needed a separate license, and now they’re waiting for the DIA to approve their application. Poland anticipates starting to serve meals at the beginning of October.

The Perry senior fellowship meal is for those age 50 and above, and takes place Wednesdays at noon at the McCreary Center. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 515-465-5621, and the cost for the meal is $5 per person.