Mayor Walsh Announces Senior Meals To-Go with Peace, Inc. at Bob Cecile Community Center

Reservations required by phone

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced the City of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs and PEACE, Inc. will begin distributing nutritious meals to seniors at the Bob Cecile Community Center located at 174 W. Seneca Tpke., beginning Monday, Mar. 15.

“Although our community centers are not yet back open, working with PEACE, Inc. to offer this meal opportunity is another positive step towards reconnecting with our seniors,” said Parks Commissioner Julie LaFave. “Their well-being is always at the forefront of our minds and we look forward to seeing them all soon.”

The program will be offered as a curbside pick-up service to those with a meal reservation. Cars will enter the Bob Cecile Community Center parking lot from W. Seneca Turnpike and proceed to the back of the building. A staff member will be waiting at the back door to deliver meals to car windows. Cars can then exit on to Midland Avenue. The program will also serve pre-registered individuals who do not arrive in a vehicle. 

To reserve a meal for Monday, Mar. 15, seniors can call the Parks Main Office at 315-473-4330 before Wednesday, Mar. 10. To reserve a meal for any day after Mar. 15, seniors can call the Bob Cecile Community Center, Monday through Friday, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Meals will be available Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The pre-made meals menu will be a combination of frozen and fresh meals, and will feature grilled entrees, fresh fruit, vegetables and 1% milk. A copy of the monthly menu can be found on PEACE, Inc.’s website at https://www.peace-caa.org/programs-services/seniors-services/senior-nutrition/seniorlunches/.

To be eligible, recipients must be 60 years of age or older with a few exceptions; spouses of recipients or a person with a disability living with a recipient are also eligible.

A suggested contribution of $3.50 per meal to PEACE, Inc. will be accepted. No recipient will be turned away due to an inability to contribute.

In addition to the meal program with PEACE, Inc., the Parks department continues to offer a morning indoor walking program for seniors at the Magnarelli Community Center. City residents 55 years and older can pre-register for one-hour walking sessions, offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. To register, visit syracuse.recdesk.com or call 315-473-2675 during program hours.