Rock Rapids, Iowa — For the first time since meals started being served in 1982, Rock Rapids Dinner Date guests are NOT being served in the town’s community building.
When the Rock Rapids Dinner Date program started, meals were prepared locally and were served in the old Rock Rapids Community Building. At that time, it was common for the program to serve 70 elderly individuals per weekday.
The interest in these meals has gradually waned over the years, but meals have continued to be served in the Forster Community Center. Another change was the switch to meals delivered from a regional kitchen. Current Dinner Date Site Manager Nancy Onerheim tells us about more recent changes.
“Shari’s Kitchen” is a Rock Rapids caterer, that from time-to-time has also offered restaurant service. But unlike the previous change, when Avera was making the meals following the Elderbridge menu, and the meals were still being served at the Forster Center, that is no longer the case, says Onerheim.
And, says Onerheim, the meals are now being served in the Shari’s Kitchen building on North Story Street (the former locker plant.) She tells us the local Meals on Wheels are also being prepared at that facility. According to Onerheim, at this time there are usually more Meals on Wheels being delivered than on-site meals, with about 24 meals going out and 10 to 12 meals being eaten on-site per weekday.
The old phone number to reserve your spot will be disconnected, says Onerheim. Going forward, you can either call Shari’s Kitchen at 472-4609 or Onerheim’s home number at 472-3984 to make a reservation.
