At 9:30 am every Tuesday, a small bus arrives at NESCO to drop off the first group of older adults coming for a daily meal. Six adults, three using walkers, make their way to the lunch and activities room as the bus departs to pick up the next group.

As they walk through the lobby, they pass a group of five retirees knitting and crocheting items for a local hospital. Inside the NESCO office, a volunteer helps a 60-year-old download apps onto their iPad.

By 10:30 am most of the older adults coming for lunch, as well as a smaller group of more recent retirees, have arrived and are socializing while they wait for the presentation to begin. On this day they enjoy Ruth Hellenbrand’s display of 400 Barbie dolls. Our Tuesday programs focus on things like healthy aging, financial matters, available resources and fun/educational events for people of all ages.

For most of the older adults eating lunch on this day, what they appreciate as much as anything is the opportunity to be with their peers. Many of them come three or more times a week (lunch is served Monday through Friday) and have been attending the dining site for over three years. This group has become close friends and they look after one another. They know about one another’s families and interests and ailments. If one of them unexpectedly misses a few days, the others call them to be sure they are okay.

After lunch, as the older adults wait for their bus rides home, a group of recent retirees enter the building and head to the community room to play ping pong.

NESCO is more than just a senior meal.