Anna Jaques Hospital in Amesbury, MA, is offering dinner for $5 in its cafeteria every evening for seniors over 60 years old, reports the Newburyport News. The meal includes an entree, starch, vegetable, dessert and coffee or tea between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. seven days a week.
The hospital says the initiative not only serves community relations and senior nutrition purpose by giving area elderly a place to get a relatively inexpensive hot evening meal and a chance to socialize, but also helps the kitchen cut down on waste. Dinnertime is generally slow at Anna Jaques, so attracting seniors helps generate revenue to cover the costs of keeping the cafeteria open. The hospital is marketing the program to area senior centers and Council on Aging.