Elderbridge Agency on Aging

09/02/2026

September Menu!

09/02/2026

Click link below for meal sites near you.

https://elderbridge.org/meal-site-locations/

09/02/2026

Congregate meal sites and home-delivered meals provide important nutritional and social benefits to older Iowans, helping them remain healthy, independent, and connected to their communities. Congregate meal sites offer nutritious, balanced meals in a welcoming environment where older adults can socialize with peers, build relationships, participate in activities, and reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.

For older Iowans who have difficulty traveling, home-delivered meals provide reliable access to nutritious food while allowing them to remain safely in their own homes. Home-delivered meals also provide an important opportunity for regular social contact and a wellness check, which can be especially valuable for individuals who live alone or have limited mobility.

Together, congregate and home-delivered meal services help support healthy aging, improve access to nutritious food, promote social connection, and enable older Iowans to maintain their independence and quality of life.

Click here for a meal site near you!

Discover Meal Delivery Services with Elderbridge Agency On Aging. Find convenient meal site locations for seniors.

08/27/2026

Throughout September, Randy’s Neighborhood Market is bringing the community together for a special micro-fundraiser supporting older adults! 🎉❤️
Every little bit helps make a big difference by helping alleviate food insecurity and ensuring our older adults have access to the food they need. Let’s make September a month of giving, community, and good vibes—one generous contribution at a time! 🛒🥫✨

08/22/2026

08/08/2026

According to National Council on Aging these meals make a difference.

Check out Elderbridge's Meal Sites: https://elderbridge.org/meal-site-locations/

What are the benefits of congregate meals?
Congregate meals offer a variety of benefits, especially for older adults who live alone. These benefits include:

Improved nutrition: As we age, our dietary requirements change. Through congregate meals, older adults receive nutritious, well-balanced meals on a regular basis. Getting more of the nutrients they require—such as protein, calcium, and fiber—can help prevent chronic conditions like heart disease, hypertension, and osteoporosis. It’s no surprise that 73% of congregate meal participants say the program improved their health.1
Dietary variety:

Congregate meals give older adults the chance to enjoy meals they may not want to or be able to prepare themselves. Having a varied, interesting diet is not only healthy; it enriches our well-being.

Social connection: Social isolation can lead to loneliness and depression as well as higher blood pressure and early-onset dementia. Attending congregate meals on a regular basis gives older adults the chance to meet new people, nurture lasting friendships, and build a solid support network. It can provide a foundation for a thriving social life that makes it easier to live independently.

The National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants highlighted why meal programs are so important to many older adults' well-being.

Among the participants surveyed:1
63% said their social opportunities have increased.
67% said they see their friends more often.
Nearly 86% said they feel better.

Greater food security:
Having regular access to nutritious food is a vital aspect of overall health. But according to Feeding America, roughly 7.4 million seniors (age 60+) faced food insecurity in 2023, meaning they lacked enough food to stay healthy and active.

Congregate meal programs help fill the gaps for many older adults. In a previous survey, 54% of participants reported that a congregate meal supplies at least half of their total food for the day.

How can you find congregate meal sites near me?
Contact your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to ask about congregate meal programs in your area. They can help you figure out the service and location that’s most convenient for you and address any special needs you may have (rides to and from the meal site, for example). Find your closest AAA by visiting the Eldercare Locator and entering your ZIP code.

If you’re unable to leave your home, ask your area agency on aging about home-delivered meal programs!!

Information from National Council on Aging.

08/04/2026

We are grateful to share that Elderbridge Agency on Aging received a $5,000 grant from the Kinney-Lindstrom Foundation to support our community outreach and marketing initiatives!

With these funds, we are expanding our presence across the 29 counties we serve, from branded event displays and updated promotional materials to two new video projects highlighting our services and volunteer opportunities.

Thank you to the Kinney-Lindstrom Foundation for your incredible generosity and dedication to our mission of supporting older adults, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities!

07/26/2026

Elderbridge Agency on Aging loves making the difference in peoples lives.

“Our mission is to advocate for and empower older adults, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities to pursue independent, healthy lives.”

www.elderbridge.org

07/26/2026

Elderbridge Agency on Aging Receives Community Impact Grant from United Way of North Central Iowa

Elderbridge Agency on Aging is honored to announce that we have been awarded a Community Impact Grant from United Way of North Central Iowa (UWNCI).

Through this generous investment of $14,400, UWNCI is helping fund Elderbridge’s Client Assistance Program. The grant will help provide emergency assistance to residents of Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Franklin, Hancock, Kossuth, Mitchell, Winnebago, and Worth counties.

Client Assistance helps bridge critical gaps when essential needs are not covered by Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or other funding sources. The program provides emergency support, including food, rent and housing, utility assistance, medications and medical supplies, durable medical equipment, home modifications, in-home services, transportation, and technology that helps clients stay connected to family and healthcare providers.

This funding will directly support older adults, caregivers, and adults with disabilities facing urgent needs, helping them maintain their health, dignity, independence, and quality of life.

We are deeply grateful to United Way of North Central Iowa for investing in the well-being of our communities and for helping ensure that vulnerable individuals have access to the resources they need when they need them most.

United Way of North Central Iowa’s mission is to connect and strengthen community resources to inspire change in the lives of all North Iowans. Together, we are making a meaningful difference across North Iowa.

Follow United Way of North Central Iowa on Facebook (), Instagram (), and LinkedIn (-way-of-north-central-iowa).

07/22/2026

First Citizens Charitable Foundation, Inc. awarded a $3,000 grant to Elderbridge Agency on Aging to support its Emergency Shelf-Stable Meals Program for clients living in communities served by First Citizens Bank locations.

A community presentation was held at First Citizens Bank on July 22, 2026. Wendy Rish, VP, Senior Retail Manager, presented the grant award to Jody Applegate, Healthy Aging Director for Elderbridge Agency on Aging.

The Emergency Shelf Stable Meals Program ensures that older adults and individuals with disabilities have dependable access to nutritious, ready to eat food whenever regular meal delivery is disrupted, whether due to severe weather, meal site closures, volunteer shortages, or other emergencies. These meals support homebound adults with limited mobility, frail older adults, and participants who rely on congregate meal sites, providing a reliable safety net when unexpected circumstances arise.

By providing shelf-stable meals in advance, Elderbridge helps ensure clients continue to receive the nutrition they need during unexpected service disruptions, supporting their health, safety, and independence.

Elderbridge Agency on Aging extends our sincere appreciation to First Citizens Bank and First Citizens Charitable Foundation, Inc. for their generous support of the Emergency Shelf-Stable Meals Program. Their investment helps ensure that vulnerable older adults continue to have access to nutritious meals during emergencies and unexpected service disruptions.

We are grateful for First Citizens' ongoing commitment to strengthening our communities and supporting our mission. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.

Thank you for your continued generosity and partnership.