COQUITLAM, B.C., Aug. 25, 2021 – Coquitlam will continue to support isolated seniors with a modified Meals for Seniors program into fall 2021.
Launched in spring 2020, the frozen meal delivery and pickup program will begin a new schedule next week as the City prepares to safely and gradually increase services for seniors in September, including the reopening of cafés at the Dogwood and Glen Pine Pavilions.
The City started Meals for Seniors in March 2020 to alleviate the need for seniors to shop and cook for themselves when Pavilion cafés and other civic services were shut down and vulnerable people were advised to stay home.
Modified Program Continues to Support Seniors
Providing a complete frozen meal for $7.50 and optional free delivery, Meals for Seniors has met a demonstrated need during the pandemic – particularly before vaccinations, mask use and other public health protocols enabled seniors to once again shop and engage in City programs and services. To date, the program has prepared more than 26,000 meals.
Meals for Seniors has been subsidized through the City’s dedicated pandemic-relief fund, the Community Support and Recovery Plan, which is winding down over fall 2021 as regular City services gradually resume.
Changes to the meal program will allow seniors to continue enjoying frozen meals through the fall while the City redirects resources to reopening the Pavilion cafés and reintroducing programs and services. The program will operate as follows:
- From Aug. 31 and through the fall, meal delivery and pickup will be on Tuesdays only (final Friday meal delivery/pickup is Aug. 27). Meal pick-up will be available Tuesdays at both Dogwood and Glen Pine from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Due to statutory holidays, there will be no service the weeks of Sept. 7 and Oct. 12.
- Starting Sept. 8, registration will take place from 8:30 a.m. Wednesday to 2 p.m. Sunday for deliveries the following Tuesday.
- Customers will be able to purchase up to four meals at a time, with a more limited selection than in past months.
For information, visit www.coquitlam.ca/meals.
Volunteer in the Pavilion Cafés
Want to keep busy and meet other local seniors this fall?
The cafés at Dogwood and Glen Pine Pavilions will welcome back volunteers in September as they gear up for their reopening. Food preparation and customer service experience are an asset but not required.
To learn about volunteering at the Pavilions, visit www.coquitlam.ca/volunteer and click the link in the Volunteering in Community Centres section.
Other Services for Seniors
Other City supports and services available to seniors include:
For Pavilion information, contact pavilions@coquitlam.ca, call Glen Pine at 604-927-6940 or Dogwood at 604-927-6098, or visit www.coquitlam.ca/glenpine and www.coquitlam.ca/dogwood.
About Coquitlam’s Community Support and Recovery Plan
Introduced in spring 2020, Coquitlam’s COVID-19 Community Support and Recovery Plan is a multi-phased recovery strategy made up of programs and initiatives to support all facets of the community through the pandemic. It provides targeted immediate and long-term support for businesses, residents and the not-for-profit sector. New initiatives continue to be introduced in 2021 as the program nears its conclusion. Information about the CSRP is posted at www.coquitlam.ca/csrp.
Stay Informed
To stay up-to-date about news and updates for those age 50-plus:
Media contact:
Debbie Clavelle
Community Recreation Manager
City of Coquitlam
604-927-4386 (4FUN)
prcs_info@coquitlam.ca