Message from Councilmember Ellen Zimmerman | April 14, 2022
In March 2020, our very successful senior lunch program at Shady Rest had to be suspended because of the pandemic. There were high hopes at the time that the popular program would be on hiatus for just a few short weeks or months.
Unfortunately, because of the public health crisis, it has dragged for two very long years. And, on Tuesday, April 12, we were so happy to swing open the doors at Shady Rest and welcome back dozens of residents who always looked forward to the Tuesday program.
I am pleased to see a return to communal lunches, where seniors look forward to friendship, casual chatter and camaraderie while they enjoy a well-prepared, nutritious meal together.
The return of this pop-up café is another welcome sign that community life is returning to normal in Scotch Plains. It is my hope that many more of our senior residents join in for this lunch. The lunch is typically held between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., offering a hot protein entree; vegetable, or salad; potato, pasta or rice; bread; milk; and soup or juice.
Help me spread the message about this important communal program: There are newcomers to town who are unfamiliar with the program while other residents are now in their golden years and have been eagerly waiting to try out this cafe at Shady Rest.
The congregate meal program is offered to seniors who do not receive home delivered meals from Meals-on-Wheels. It is administered by the Union County Division on Aging and Disability Resource Connection. Participating residents must be aged 60 or older and reside in Union County.
A voluntary donation of $1.75 is suggested for each meal, but no one will be turned away. The program is funded through the federal government.
I would like to take a moment to thank the volunteers who set up the lunch, spend time with the residents and then clean up afterward. I’ve often said that volunteerism and generosity are two hallmarks of Scotch Plains, both of which are on display at these lunches.
We are looking for new volunteers to help on Tuesdays between 9:30am-2pm. If you are interested, please reach out to me at
To participate, residents must make reservations by calling 908-322-5151. Meal reservations can also be made at the Shady Rest lunch for the following week’s program.
