Meals on Wheels Kitchen Undergoes Renovation

A grant through Berkshire Taconic Foundation’s CARES Act Community Food Security Program has made it possible for Elder Services to replace much dated equipment at its Lanesboro kitchen facility. The grant provided ESBCI the funds needed to replace 28 year old kitchen equipment that had been used to prepare nutritious meals for the Meals on Wheels Program. Much of the equipment required for meal prep was outdated, unreliable, inefficient and beyond repair. The $119,489 grant facilitated by the Berkshire Taconic Foundation was used to purchase and install 2 new walk-in coolers, a reach- in refrigerator, and a walk-in freezer as well as insulated food carriers, a 60 gallon gas kettle and an electric food cutter. This new equipment is not only more energy efficient but more importantly in makes it possible to more efficiently prepare over 950 meals each day/five days a week for home delivered meals and meals for the senior meal sites throughout the County. The new equipment also makes it possible to meet the increased demand for Meals on Wheels. This past year ESBCI’s Meals on Wheels Program prepared and delivered

208,904 meals for seniors in Berkshire County.

Once the equipment was ordered and delivered to B&G Restaurant Supply of Pittsfield the plans were made to dismantle the old equipment and install the new equipment---while at the same time maintain meal delivery to over 950 seniors each day. This herculean undertaking was accomplished with a team from Elder Services in conjunction with the assistance and efforts of staff from the Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Thomas Bowler not only made his staff available but also provided use