Meals and Meal Testimonials

Testimonials - Read what our members say about our meal program

The lunch program at the Parker Senior Center provides two important things. First, Chef Joe provides balanced meals at a modest price. The menus vary. Each meal has a vegetable, a meat, and a starch. Each meal has a freshly baked roll and a desert. Second and just as important is the opportunity to casually meet and visit with others. Food is served at round tables for eight people. It just seems natural to visit with others sitting next to you and across the table. The atmosphere is casual. Sometimes, the person sitting next to you had amazing life adventures. Once I took the last open seat at a table. It turns out that two other persons had the same first name. We joked about having an old-fashioned name. Many of us seniors live alone. Some can no longer drive which limits social contact. Eating with others can provide simple fellowship. After losing a spouse or best friend, a prepared meal and kind persons joining you at the table can help with loneliness and grief.

- Barbara J.

Having a meal from Parker Senior Center is important to me for the following reasons: 1-It means I get to escape from where I live- a change of scenery 2-It means I get to try a different meals at an affordable cost 3-It means I get to eat a meal that is hot 4-It means I get a balanced and nutritious meal that is both appetizing to the palate and appealing to the eye 5-It mean I get to eat something I would not otherwise have at home 6-It mean I get to eat and sit with other people, at a table, with a tablecloth 7-It means I get to see and be with other happy seniors and others from the community 8-It means I get to meet new people in s safe environment who are happy and enjoying meals 9-It means I get to chose which meals I want to eat 10-It means I get to eat in an environment that encourages friendships and celebrations, is caring, happy, and safe, that makes people feel welcomed and that they matter 11-It means I get a complete meal for the day 12-It means I get served a meal…or that I can do that for someone else 13-It means that I can be good to myself and treat myself/body to some good simple food 14-It means that   can observe other seniors how it means to age in place, be active Having a meal at PSC is important in so many ways, on so many levels. It was really depressing when Joe was out of commission in (last) July and August. As soon as he was back and we could come for meals again, I perked up and was no longer the Sleeping Burito, laying on the floor wondering what I was going to ease, if I decided to eat! And yes I did lose weight…So yes, eating at PSC is very important to me, even if others can’t make it, I’ll call Aging Resources for a Ride…thank goodness for them too!! OMG we are blessed!

- Leona H.

I have been getting take out lunches and I order two at a time. Most of the time I save my lunches for dinners. That would be about 12-14 dinners a month I don’t fix

- Betty Z.

The meal program means nutritious meals. They taste great. It provides time for social interaction which is so important to seniors. Keep up this great meals program please.

- Chris H.

The lunches are wonderful! Most Senior Centers do not offer lunches especially prepared by a full time chef! It is great option to enjoy a good meal at a very reasonable price. You meet new people and can have lunch with people you already know. I also notice there are many seniors who appreciate the meal as it gives them a well balanced meal that they would not normally cook for themselves. It is a service that the Parker Senior Center provides that I really enjoy.

- Sabina G.

Mealtime is tasty. It’s also a time to socialize. For some this is the only adventure of the day. For others it’s the beginning of the time to find friends and get ready for games. Lunch brings Chef Joe’s great cooking which might be the only meal people get. Take out meals are offered to those who can’t make it to the senior center. Lunch is a great tradition for the senior center. It’s an optional activity and I look forward to the monthly menu calendar to see what delicacies are in store for the week.

- Donna H.

I just moved to Colorado and was looking for a Senior Society that offered activities physical and social. I am fortunate to have found PSC that offers both as well as meals. This is a very special environment, and I felt welcomed immediately, I joined the same day. I have only had one meal there and the food was delicious. From the dining area I noticed that the kitchen and prep area were organized and clean and I met the Chef, a very congenial man who seemed to be liked by the staff and members. I am happy to be a member of PSC and have already told my friends and relatives about the clean, pleasant and congeniality of the Center. Having social activities as well as a variety of delicious food available for lunch and not having to leave the Center to eat, is a plus for us Senior Centers.

- L.C.

It is healthy meals that I as a single person would not make for myself because I would waste to much Not being able to eat it all.

- Barbara S.

The everyday cooked lunch program…planned, purchased, and magnificently prepared by a professional chef who has been so engaged for almost ½ century, is an absolute highlight function/service provided by the Parker Senior Center. Not only is the menu delightfully diversified, but each day – at a beyond most modest competitive price – the luncheon offerings is always complete with a delicious protein, carbohydrate, vegetable, and dessert selection. In short, the daily choice is selectively complete. For many attendees, the Parker Center Senior is the sole comprehensively solid meal of the day; this is as a direct result of some alternate inability to self-prepare adequate meals at home or elsewhere, but likewise- importantly- for countless other frequent or regular luncheon attendees, the Parker Senior Center prepared, cooked, and served full luncheon constitutes a social dynamic otherwise absent from one’s daily reality. To summarize, with little fanfare and limited widespread publicity, the daily “home cooked” luncheon program offered through Parker Senior Center is a beyond critical nutritious, social, and connecting invaluable public services offered to and for the population of Douglas County and surrounding area environs.

- Fred H.

Not only a good variety of tasty and nutritious lunches, but having the time to visit with the many friends-new and old. Joe’s delicious rolls and the desserts are an added bonus. Great value. So much food that I frequently take about 1/3 home to eat later.

- Barbara S.

We sincerely hope we never have to find out what it’s like to live our lives without Chef Joe’s takeout! Here’s why: 1. I have developed a dread of cooking in my elder years. The takeout meals have saved me from being forced to do that cooking. 2. I like that someone else is coming up with ideas of how to feed us nutritionally healthy and tasty choices. 3. We like the variety of meals available to us. 4. We appr4eciate that Chef Joe does such a great job of putting together great meals that are also healthy meals. The nutrition is so important. Especially when you’ve reached the stage in life where you are willing to cut corners on your nutrition just to keep from having to cook something. 5. We like the cost of takeout meals. We certainly couldn’t afford to eat out at restaurants for the price the Parker Senior Center offers. 6. We sincerely need these takeout meals to stay healthy. Thankfully, and with much appreciation.

- Ceona and Jerry H.