New congregate meal site in New Salem to open November 16

As part of its mission to promote better health for the elderly, the Morton County Council on Aging, which provides nutrition services to senior citizens ages 60 and older, will be opening a congregate meal site in New Salem on Monday, November 16.
The meal site, to be known as Main Street Connections, will be located in the Otte Events building on 306 Main Ave, New Salem, and will be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to roughly 1 p.m.
The MCCOA serves various communities in Morton County and Oliver County.
Nutrition services provided include prepared hot lunch meals available for either home-delivery, take-out, or at congregate meal sites.
Currently, the MCCOA hosts congregate meal sites at senior centers in Mandan, Center, Glen Ullin and Hebron.
New Salem itself was once host to a meal site. Gwen Kautzman, Marketing, Activities and Rural Development Director for the MCCOA, stated the local meal site closed due to Covid-19.
The home delivery of meals has still continued, but the grand opening of Main Street Connections will allow the MCCOA to offer another congregate meal site within Morton County.
“We could continue with just the home deliveries, but we want [people] to have the option of being able to eat with other people,” Kautzman stated. “When people eat together, they eat healthier, they enjoy their meals more.”
Each month, the MCCOA releases a newsletter which includes a look at its’ lunch menu. The food served in New Salem will follow the same menu. Kautzman stated individuals can come to see the menu in person to decide if they want to place an order later in the week or in advance.
“They can call in the beginning of the month and say, ‘these are the days we’re gonna be coming by,” Kautzman added. “They can pick and choose…you don’t have to eat every meal.”
Reservations for meals in New Salem must be reserved by noon the day before to ensure enough meals are available.
Meals at the New Salem site can be picked up or delivered, though emphasis is placed on dining-in.
Kautzman stated tables and chairs will be set up to dine-in, and drinks such as water and coffee will be available. A microwave will also be available for use. Frozen meals will also be available for pick-up.
Individuals 60 and older are viewed as eligible participants to receive meals by the MCCOA. Meals are free with a suggested donation of $4.50 per meal. The MCCOA outlines that no participant will be denied meals due to an inability or unwillingness to pay.
Those 60 and under as well as children are viewed as ineligible by the MCCOA but can also receive meals at a fixed price. Ages 12 and under can receive a meal for $5 per meal, and individuals under 60 can receive a meal for $12.
The MCCOA states “individuals under age 60 (except for spouses) must pay the full cost of service” unless one of several criteria is met.
Such criteria include volunteers under the age of 60 helping to provide meal services. Volunteers may receive a meal “when it will not deprive an eligible participant (and their spouse) the opportunity to receive a meal.”
Other criteria include individuals with disabilities under the age of 60 “who reside at Liberty Heights or Library Square, provided it does not deprive an eligible participant (and their spouse) the opportunity to receive a meal,’ and Individuals under age 60 with disabilities residing with eligible participants.
The MCCOA states “home-delivered meal participants must be homebound because of physical incapacity, mental or social conditions, or isolation” in order to receive meals.