Turning Community Meals into Moments

How Congregate Meals Help Fight Loneliness in Older Vermonters

Nestled in the tranquil mountains of Vermont, where crisp air and serene streets provide a sense of calm, many older residents quietly grapple with an often-overlooked challenge: loneliness. Seniors who have outlived friends and family or live far from loved ones often experience a deep sense of isolation. But Age Well is stepping in to bridge that gap. Our Community Meal events are more than just meals; they offer a chance for seniors to connect with others, share stories, and most importantly, have fun.

For many older adults, these events have become a lifeline—helping them rediscover a sense of community and purpose. Whether it’s laughing over a shared meal, reminiscing with friends, or making new connections, these gatherings are transforming the way older Vermonters experience their daily lives.

But there’s so much more to the story. Behind each Community Meal, there’s a network of volunteers, nutrition coordinators, and community leaders working tirelessly to ensure that these moments of connection happen. They know the power of a shared meal to brighten someone’s day and reduce the isolation that so often accompanies aging.

Above: Entertainment, attendees, and volunteers at a Community Meal at Island in the Sun Senior Center, in Alburgh, VT.

Take, for example, the story of Ruth and Margie. They had never met before, but thanks to Age Well’s program, they became fast friends. At their first Community Meal, they were seated at the same table, both a little unsure of what to expect. By the end of the meal, they were exchanging phone numbers and making plans to meet up for a walk the following week. What started as a shared meal blossomed into a lasting friendship.

These meals aren’t just about eating—they’re about making memories. Whether it’s a game of bingo, a sing-along, or a storytelling circle, the fun is contagious, and the connections formed are lasting.

As Mary, one of the program’s regulars, says: “I’ve made so many new friends through Age Well. I didn’t know it was possible to have this much fun at my age! I look forward to these meals every week—they remind me that I’m not alone.”

Thanks to Age Well’s dedicated Nutrition & Wellness coordinators and the volunteers who support them, these meals and events are breaking down the walls of isolation, proving that connection, community, and a little bit of fun are key to a fulfilling life at any age. We sat down with Michelle, Molly, and Laura, our fantastic coordinators, to get an inside look at this popular program. Michelle is the Nutrition & Wellness Coordinator for Addison Country, Molly manages this program in Chittenden County, and Laura in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties.

How did the community meals program get started, and what were its initial goals?

Michelle: It all started with the Older Americans Act in 1965. In the 1970s, the federal government designated Area Agencies on Aging, like Age Well, through the Older Americans Act and encouraged designated agencies to promote nutrition programs, like Meals on Wheels and our community nutrition program.

Laura: I think the initial goals are what they remain, which is to offer people who are most vulnerable in our community an opportunity to both get out and have access to nutritious food, but also to socialize. So, these congregate meals address both the issue of social isolation as well as food insecurity in the community.

Molly: While we do offer Grab & Go opportunities in some parts of our service area, we do not offer takeout at our Community Meals, and we don’t do delivery. They are really about getting people together and spending time with others. Everyone’s super welcoming and it’s a “the-more-the-merrier kind of situation. It’s the folks who really want to make connections with other people.

For example, I have these two participants, I believe they both lost their spouses. And through going to these meals, they have developed an almost brother-sister relationship. One time, one of them didn’t show up for a meal and the other got on the phone was like,
“Hey, where are you?”

They really look out for each other. People absolutely ask when there’s not a regular there, “Oh, have you heard from them?”

Above: Deuces Wild playing music, attendees socializing, and TRIO Food Service managing the BBQ at Collins-Perley Sports & Fitness Center, in St Albans.

What do you believe is the most important impact community meals have on older Vermonters?

Laura: I think I think the most important impact is that this allows people to get out and socialize and combat social isolation because… I know this is a nutrition program, but our client’s mental health is really a paramount importance to me, and I see the joy that getting out and being amongst friends, making new friends, making connections has in their lives.

And it, you know, it can be hard, especially during the winter months, for people to feel motivated, to want to get out. And of course, we know that that can lead to issues with depression and anxiety. And I always tell people, “Just come to an event, you will find your people, you will have a good time!” 

And they do. They’re always so grateful that I give them that nudge, to come out and have a good time. There is this one story that comes to mind in particular, of this individual who isn’t the most mobile person, but can walk with a cane. A few years ago, we had a barbeque and one of the bands we work with, Deuces Wild, was singing and playing guitar. This individual shared that while they still could sing along, they really missed dancing. This person was really beloved at our Franklin County meals, and our clients formed a line and helped them dance for a few songs. That was really a moment of joy, for everyone involved.

Michelle: You know, the food is really good, it tastes home cooked. TRIO Community Meals prepares most* of our congregate meals, and we work with them to develop the menus, which are approved by an Age Well consultant dietitian. The Chef who prepares and coordinates delivery of the meals really cares about what our attendees think of the food. He always asks, “How did they like that?” 

I have worked in this position for nearly thirteen years, and I have seen the program evolve over time. There’s some there’s some meals that I miss that our chef at TRIO doesn’t do anymore. For example, he would send us a chopped salad with no lettuce. People with dentures have a hard time with lettuce, so he left it out but included a bunch of other vegetables and served it with Italian dressing. It was incredible! It was so good, but recently we found that our clients now prefer a tossed salad with lettuce, so we’ve made that change. We try to adapt and consider what the people attending these meals want to eat.

And while the food is fantastic, people really come to these events to see other people. There was this one attendee who recently lost their spouse and started attending one of our meals in Vergennes. People would flock to this person’s table because despite going through this tragedy, this person was so lively, so fun. Everyone wanted to sit at their table. I had to push several tables together just to fit this group that wanted to sit with one another.  

Relationships like this are so important. It’s so important for older people to have the opportunity to laugh and reminisce and to make friendships. For example, we used to have this group that used to mend clothes for other attendees who either didn’t know how to or had lost a partner who maybe would have otherwise taken care of it for them. These acts of kindness are huge.

*While most Age Well meals are catered by TRIO Community Meals, several Age Well community meals take place at restaurants and career centers, which provide Older Americans Act compliant menus for our clients. Once a week, we also offer a culturally appropriate meal for New Americans at the Winooski Senior Center, catered by a local restaurant.

Above: Attendees enjoying a game of cards and Tai Chi. Volunteers at the Winooski Senior Center serving lunch.

Molly: For me, the meals are really about bringing folks in the community together and getting people out of the house. 

I manage the reservations for one of the meal sites in Shelburne, and I get a lot of calls with people saying, “Well, I would like to put my name down, but I do need to check with my neighbor to make sure that they’re going to come to and can give me a ride.” It’s really wonderful to see how willing participants are to be there for one another.

What goes into organizing and running community meals behind the scenes?

Molly: Well, the first step is finding a space to host the meal. We work with a variety of different locations, like churches, senior centers, VFWs, parks, and restaurants that donate the space to us to use for our community meals. Once you have a venue, then you have to coordinate with volunteers to prepare the meals.

Every single one of our meal sites uses volunteers – many are Age Well volunteers, but a lot of the senior centers have their own volunteers that they recruit to help out as well. The churches that we partner with tend to have their own volunteers.

In terms of specific volunteer opportunities, we have numerous options. We usually have a few folks that like to check people in and collect the donations. Then we also have several volunteers in the kitchen. Then we also have volunteers who will serve the meals and clean up afterwards. We are really grateful for our volunteers and their willingness to jump right in, serve the meals, and connect with our attendees.

Michelle: In Addison County, we have many meal site volunteers who show up every week to serve and help out. We coordinate the meals to offer appealing opportunities for older adults to socialize. Age Well collaborates with Bridport Senior Citizens Incorporated and Vergennes Seniors Incorporated, as there are no designated senior centers in Addison County.

Laura: Sometimes, we will have educational opportunities, like guest speakers. For example, we sometimes have community partners come in and talk about fraud, we’ve had nurses talk about different clinics available to our clients. We also provide participants with information about 3SquaresVT and Fuel Assistance.

As a Nutrition & Wellness Coordinator responsible for these community meals, I make sure that Age Well promotes a positive experience, allowing older Vermonters to interact, enjoy each other, and share a meal.

Above: Attendees and volunteers enjoying the “Be Mine Bash,” hosted at the BVM Parish Hall in Swanton.

In 2024, Age Well served over 28,500 meals through our Community Meal Program, with the help of our stellar volunteers. We hope to serve even more in 2025.

Age Well’s Community Meal program is not just about providing nourishment—it’s about fostering connection, combating loneliness, and creating a sense of belonging for Vermont’s older adults. These events have become a vital lifeline for many seniors, offering them the opportunity to make new friends, share stories, and engage in meaningful activities that bring joy and purpose to their lives. With the support of dedicated volunteers and nutrition coordinators, Age Well is not only addressing the physical needs of seniors but also the emotional and social aspects of aging. By turning meals into moments of camaraderie and fun, Age Well is helping to build a stronger, more connected community for Vermont’s older generations.

To find a community meal near you, click here.