Ontario provides Hospice Quinte $24,800 Seniors Community Grant for nutrition program

QUINTE WEST — Today, Todd Smith, MPP for Bay of Quinte, announced Hospice Quinte is receiving $24,800 in Seniors Community Grant funding to provide nutrition coaching for vulnerable seniors who have lost a loved one.

“Seniors Community Grant investments make a big difference in the lives of older adults throughout Ontario, including in Bay of Quinte,” said Smith. “Hospice Quinte delivers great programming for bereaved individuals, and I’m excited this funding will help them to continue living independently.”

Petra LePage, Hospice Quinte’s acting Executive Director, was pleased the Seniors Community Grant helped kick-off the new program this week.

“We’re so excited to be able to hold “Cooking Connections” to help vulnerable seniors in our area. Thanks to this funding, seniors who have lost their spouse and have little-to-no experience in the kitchen now have a way to learn to cook some basic meals for themselves. It really is a valuable program that we’re proud to offer,” said LePage.

The experiential workshops will run from October through March and seniors 65-plus can take part in one or all the sessions. Participants will learn how to shop, plan, and prepare nutritious, affordable meals for one or two people.  Donna Modani, Hospice Quinte’s Food Services Co-ordinator, will lead the workshops at the Stan Klemencic Care Centre. She was formally trained at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts and has spent 25 years in hospitality industries.

This year, Ontario is investing up to $6 million in more than 280 Seniors Community Grant projects across the province that help local groups and organizations empower seniors to be active and connected to family and friends in their community – from Tai Chi lessons, lawn bowling and other physical activities, to arts and music appreciation, to virtual speakers’ series, day trips, and more.

“Seniors Community Grants are keeping our seniors fit, active, healthy and socially connected close to home, in their communities,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “Our government is proud to invest in these projects with local organizations to meet the needs of seniors, provide the supports seniors need and deserve that also help to battle social isolation.”

Cooking Connections is one of five Bay of Quinte projects supported this year.  Details about the other supported projects will be released over time.

QUICK FACTS

• The Seniors Community Grants Program provides funding ranging from $1,000 up to $25,000 for local projects.
• Ontario’s Seniors are the province’s fastest growing demographic, and by 2046, the number of seniors aged 65 and over is projected to increase significantly from 2.7 million, since 2021 to 4.4 million.
• To learn more about the Cooking Connections program, please visit hospicequinte.ca/cooking-connections.