Volunteers with the Dutchess County Office for the Aging Home Delivered Meals Program prepare and deliver hot meals to residents age 60 and older, who are homebound or can’t prepare meals for a variety of reasons, five days a week. 

What You Need To Know

  • March is National Nutrition Month

  • The New York State Office for the Aging provides about 22 million meals to older adults through its nutrition program each year 

  • With assistance from the state, Dutchess County Office for the Aging delivered more than 179,000 meals in 2023

Darren Vetter has been volunteering with the Dutchess County Office for the Aging Home Delivered Meals Program for two months.

“The reason why I do it is the fact that I realize there’s things that are bigger than myself, and people need a little help,” Vetter said. “I’m just happy to be a little part of it.”

March is National Nutrition Month and the New York state Office for the Aging provides about 22 million meals to older adults through its nutrition program each year. With assistance from the state, Dutchess County Office for the Aging delivered more than 179,000 meals in 2023.

One of Vetter’s deliveries is to 75-year-old Sharon Mitchell, who’s been receiving meals through the program for several years.  

“Sometimes, I’m low on provisions and food, and that helps me out,” Mitchell said.

Dutchess County Office for the Aging Director Todd Tancredi said there is a registered dietitian on staff to ensure the meals are well-balanced.

“It's a job that you know you're making a difference, day in and day out, for the people you serve, and it’s a great feeling,” Tancredi said.

At the beginning of each month, each older adult that receives meals is given a menu outlining what nutritious items will be delivered each day.

“They know what's coming and sometimes, we have special diets,” Tancredi said. “We accommodate those as best we can.”

Tancredi said the program relies heavily on volunteers.

“You kind of keep an eye on them, too, because if for some reason they don't seem up to par, you may mention it, ask them how they're feeling and all, and I think it's a worthwhile thing,” Vetter said.

Recipients are just as happy with the program.

“They're very delightful, and it's good to see him, you know, delivering the food, being a volunteer to do it and wanting to do it,” Mitchell said. 

Along with home-delivered meals, the state Office for the Aging provides other nutrition programs for older adults, such as congregate meals, senior farmer’s markets, one-on-one guidance and SNAP-Ed.