Chautauqua County's Dining Out program has officially expanded with the opening of a new site at Fredonia First Methodist Church, bringing the program's total reach to over 800 seniors across the area.
 
The initiative, managed by the Chautauqua County Office of Aging Services, aims to provide hot, healthy meals while offering seniors opportunities to engage in wellness activities, games, and social events.
 
"We created this program to better benefit our older population," explained Carey Skelton, Nutrition and Wellness Coordinator at the Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services. "It goes much further than food. We want to feed everyone with a nutritious meal but also feed their total wellness. Mental, physical and social wellness are vital for a healthy and happy life."
 
Congressman Nick Langworthy commended the program's efforts saying, "This is a wonderful initiative that not only ensures our seniors have access to a great, healthy meal, but fosters community and socialization, which we know are just as important to their health and well-being."  

New York State Representative Andrew Molitor also praised the program saying, "This is a great program, older adults can get together, have a meal, and combat that loneliness that I think a lot of us feel. With these new meal cards, residents in the county can get a good meal every day at different locations in the county."
 
The new Fredonia site is part of the county’s ongoing efforts to combat food insecurity and reduce isolation among older adults. By expanding the program, the county is able to offer greater access to services that support both physical and emotional well-being. 
 
"There are 39,000 older adults in Chautauqua County and as of 2024, we have been able to serve over 800 individuals free meals with the Dining Out program," stated Dana Corwin, Director at Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services. "This is our first new site in ten years, and we are so excited to be able to expand our services to even more residents." 
 
Officials hope the Dining Out program will continue to grow, benefiting more seniors and ensuring they have the resources and connections needed to thrive.

For more information on the program and its locations, visit the Chautauqua County Office of Aging Services website, here.