Due to winter weather conditions of snow, wind, and poor visibility, Copper Country Senior Meals is closed today. For the seniors that we serve, please use your emergency food bag.
Recent News
Copper Country Senior Meals receives PetSmart grant for research
For many seniors, pets are their only consistent companion
Copper Country Senior Meals (CCSM) has been awarded a $15,000 grant to launch a preliminary pet program following a competitive Discovery Grant Program offered through Meals on Wheels America in collaboration with PetSmart Charities.
“I want to thank CCSM employees McKenzie Hart and Emily Rogers for taking the initiative to go after this grant,” CCSM Director Kathleen Harter said. “They know how much of a need there is in our community to support the elders who often have their pets as their only consistent companion.”
The goals of the Discovery Grant Program are to support Members in:
- Understanding client needs and existing assets through community assessments and asset mapping;
- The adoption and expansion of new services, including pet assistance services, and to ultimately serve more seniors and pets; and,
- Successful bi-directional learning via a peer-to-peer cohort and mentorship opportunity.
In total, PetSmart Charities awarded $500,000 to Meals on Wheels America to span pet assistance services gaps.
“Studies show that interacting with animals decreases cortisol (a stress-related hormone) levels and lowers blood pressure,” Hart said. “Researchers have also found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, boost one’s mood and increase physical activity. Senior Meals is dedicated to helping seniors live independent lives and this may mean supporting seniors and their constant companions.”
Over the next year, Copper Country Senior Meals will work with the 270 seniors that are currently served to identify critical pet needs. For instance, do seniors need help in procuring pet food, providing daily walks for their pets during icy and snowy conditions, or obtaining pet grooming and veterinarian services?
“We’re very excited about this grant opportunity,” Rogers said. “The awareness we will gain in better understanding our senior clients and the obstacles they may face regarding their pets could make a huge difference for these seniors.”
According to a peer reviewed article titled, ‘Elderly people in many respects benefit from interaction with dogs,’ it was stated that “All too frequently the companionship of a pet is underestimated or belittled, even though pets are often intimate companions for many elderly people. They help them fight off loneliness and solitude and continue their activity. To many elderly people, their animal friend means joy and quality of life (Otterstedt and Rosenberger 2009).”
“We look forward to learning more and assisting our seniors in this new aspect,” Harter said. “Stay tuned this next year as we roll out our findings and potentially expand our services.”
Learn more about Copper Country Senior meals at coppercountryseniormeals.org and about this half million grant from PetSmart Charities to Meals on Wheels America at mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
Senior Meals is closed on Wednesday, February 23
Seniors Meals is closed again today due to snow and blowing and drifting snow from last night. Plow drivers are working hard to clear roads and driveways. If you are out today, be careful as snow banks are high and it’s difficult for drivers and plow operators to see around the banks.
Senior Meals Closed Today Due to Winter Weather Conditions
Copper Country Senior Meals is closed today (Tuesday, February 22, 2022) due to winter weather conditions. Snow accumulations of 1-2 feet and hazardous driving conditions are forecasted for northern Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. For the seniors that we serve, please use your emergency food bag today.
Senior Meals Temporarily Closed Through January 21
Copper Country Senior Meals will be temporarily closed Tuesday, January 18 through Friday, January 21, 2022, due to an increasing number of positive Covid cases throughout the community and with some of the administrative staff and/or their family members.
“We are doing all we can to remain safe while serving seniors and keeping them safe as well,” Executive Director Kathleen Harter said. “While we are temporarily closed, we did provide all seniors with a hot meal on Monday and enough frozen meals to get through the week.”
Seniors without freezer space for the additional meals can put them in their refrigerator and eat them throughout this week. Seniors who regularly attend Lakeview, Keweenaw Pines and the Calumet Congregate Sites also received a hot, home-delivered meal on Monday and frozen meals for the rest of the week. The Chassell Congregate Site was closed Monday and will be closed again on Wednesday, January 19.
“We apologize for the inconvenience and hope you understand our efforts to get back to normal as quickly as possible,” Harter said. “This decision was not made lightly, but we feel it is a necessary step to pause operations and give our staff a chance to regroup, rest and get healthy.”
Normal operations will resume on Monday, January 24, 2022. Learn more about Senior Meals, including how a senior can sign up to receive meals, by visiting coppercountryseniormeals.org.