Gladstone Senior Center
April 22, 2020
Gladstone Senior Center
1945 Manton St., Maplewood, MN 55109
651-748-7250
www.isd622.org/seniors
www.facebook.com/622ce
It is now going on six weeks since “Bingo” or the music from
Ageless Grace or the laughter from Hand and Foot, the knitters
and Dominoes, has spilled out into the hallways. The picture
says it all: all that is missing is you! I hope this newsletter finds
you well despite the weeks of social distancing. We are staffing
the office with just one person per day and the building
remains closed. Still feel free to call the office (651-748-7250)
if you have any questions. We are checking the voicemail and
returning phone calls. If you haven’t seen it yet, check our list
of virtual activities and resources.
All that is missing is you
Changes to Meals on Wheels Delivery
While delivering food remains an essential service, the Gladstone Meals on Wheels program was charged with the
task of incorporating Center for Disease Control (CDC) and
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recommendations for
social distancing and minimizing visits to homes by non-family
members. Meals on Wheels Specialist Abby Kemmerer rose
to the challenge and in just a two-week period, the daily hot
delivery was transformed into a once a week delivery of frozen
meals for the upcoming week.
Meals on Wheels Specialist Abby Kemmerer
with volunteer Kurt
The wellness check that is part of the daily hot food delivery
has also taken on a different form. Now that volunteer drivers
only see clients once a week, other volunteers are calling
participants on non-delivery days for a brief visit and the
wellness check.
Meals on Wheels has seen an increase in the number of
individuals requiring a weekly delivery of meals. If you or
someone you know could benefit from the program, please call the office at 651-748-7250. Payment is based on a
sliding fee scale based on your income. During this COVID-19 time, no one will be turned away, but will be asked to
commit to a donation per meal received to help the program remain in operation during this time of need.
What will reopening the Gladstone Senior Center look like?
As of now, students are supposed to be returning to their schools on May 4. If the students do return to school, it
is possible the Gladstone Senior Center might remain closed a little longer. The reason, the senior population is
the hardest hit by this virus and there is not yet a vaccine or proven medical treatment. This does not mean that
the center needs to remain closed until a treatment or vaccine is available. It does mean that Mary Kay, Doug and
myself are discussing and planning how best to open the building to at least some of the senior activities, with
everyone’s wellbeing in mind. There will be more to come on this topic over the next couple of weeks.