LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The National Senior Nutrition Program was approved for its 53rd year during the St. Mary’s County Commissioners meeting on March 4. Funded by the Older Americans Act, the program provides financial support to local initiatives that offer nutritious meals and essential services to residents over the age of 60.
In St. Mary’s County, the program is administered through the Department of Aging and Human Services. In fiscal year 2024, the department served 56,802 home-delivered meals to 425 individuals and 24,939 congregate meals to 1,204 individuals.
The theme for 2025, “A Place at the Table,” highlights the importance of the program as a tool for building community connections.
During the meeting, Lori Jennings Harris, director of the Department of Aging and Human Services, expressed appreciation for the commissioners’ recognition. “This is the first proclamation of its kind, and I wanted staff members, volunteers, contractors, dietitians, and others to be acknowledged for their hard work in this vital program,” she said.
The kitchens that serve the food funded by this program are not your standard kitchens, either. Three have repeatedly won the Gold Star Award from the St. Mary’s County Health Department for the quality of their service. Their staff is part of the effort to provide hot, frozen, and warm meals to senior citizens’ homes Monday through Friday, who might not otherwise have access to the congregate meals due to mobility issues.
Brandi Tully, deputy director of the department, commended the team’s commitment. “Coming to work every day is not just a job for them. They understand the impact of what we do,” she said.
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And they are very nutritious and tasty.