G. Moritz, Gazette
As of this week, LeRoy Austin and his business, The Combine/Sports Cabin, is cooking for the Meals on Wheels program. His first batch of meals went out on Monday, June 2nd.
Palisade Healthcare was managing the program but have now discontinued. Since the senior center closed its doors almost a decade ago, the provider for our local Meals on Wheels has shifted around several times to various businesses and providers.
“I talked with Rebecca from the Center from Active Generations,” said Austin. “As things stood, the meals would have been prepared in Sioux Falls, and the local delivery volunteers would have had to pick up the meals in Brandon and then get them delivered. That’s a lot of driving for everybody involved. We’re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, so I knew we could do much better than that. I’m not doing this to make money, I want to help out my community and I plan to be here for the long haul.”
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The Meals on Wheels program delivers one meal per day to anyone over 60 who signs up.
“Payment is based on donation,” Austin said. “If you can pay or would like to pay for your meal you can, but if you can’t, or if you’re living on a fixed income you don’t have to. Some people pay for theirs, others do not.
“We have nutritional requirements that we meet, every meal has fruit, vegetables, milk and a protein source of at least 3 ounces. How we’re going to handle it is we’ll use a version of our daily specials; chicken wings, hot sandwiches and our Friday steak portioned for seniors.
"So, spread the word, there are a bunch more people in the area who qualify for the program, but they need to get signed up. You only need to be 60 years old to qualify. Hopefully people will see this story, and we’ll get more people signed up.”
Austin is also excited about the prospect of communal mealtimes at the Combine/Cabin location itself.
“Starting on June 16th, if you’re over 60, you can come here in person and have breakfast, lunch or dinner. All you’ll need is an Active Generations card, fill out a little paperwork from the South Dakota Adult Nutrition Program, a NAPIS form. Once you do, you can eat any meal, or every meal here every day. We’ll have an Active Generations menu of items you can choose from. The goal is to get people fed, and get them out into the community, get people out and about if they’re able. Nobody should live isolation, especially not our senior citizens. So, tell your parents, grandparents and any friends you have in the community about this. I’m happy to make the food and provide the space.”
Austin also has been remodeling both the interior and exterior spaces of his bar & grill to make it more of an open floor concept, which helps it to be much more comfortable. Those who are unable to navigate the step on Main can enter through the 4th Street side entrance.
