Senior nutrition program coming to Lawrence

CHAMPSS, the Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging’s popular nutrition program, is coming to Lawrence on Oct. 1. Orientations will be held in the auditorium of the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, as well as on Oct. 6 and Oct. 13.

CHAMPSS, or Choosing Healthy Appetizing Meal Plan Solution for Seniors, was established by the Area Agency on Aging after it noticed declining numbers of seniors attending congregate meal sites.

Those who enroll are provided a card that may be loaded with up to 12 meals (a donation of $3 per meal is suggested, but because the value of the meal is almost $6, participants are invited to be as generous as their budgets allow). Cards may be reloaded with a credit card by phoning the Area Agency on Aging or mailing a check to the agency. CHAMPSS is funded in part by the Older Americans Act and the Kansas Department on Aging and Disability Services, but it is the participants’ donations that enable the program to continue and grow, allowing more seniors to take advantage of it.

A member may eat one meal daily — breakfast, lunch or dinner — at either of the two Hy-Vee locations in Lawrence, 3504 Clinton Parkway and 4000 W. Sixth St., or any of these CHAMPSS locations in Shawnee and Jefferson counties: Topeka Hy-Vee, the five Topeka Dillons stores, Route 92 in Oskaloosa or Mac’s Grill in Valley Falls.

The agency believes the flexibility of the meal program, which allows seniors their choice of what and when to eat, accounts for its popularity. Meals consist of the member’s choice of entree, fruit and vegetable along with bread and low-fat milk. Each location has a dietitian who ensures the meals are nutritious and tasty.