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Pilot project that provides community meals for P.E.I. seniors extended another year
Pilot project that provides community meals for P.E.I. seniors extended another year

CBC

time24-07-2025

  • Business
  • CBC

Pilot project that provides community meals for P.E.I. seniors extended another year

Social Sharing Prince Edward Island is once again funding community meals for seniors after a successful start to its pilot project last year, the province's minister of social development and seniors says. First launched in 2024, the project provides grants of up to $5,000 so groups can host free community meal events for seniors. While still considered to be a pilot program, the reception has been positive so far, said P.E.I. Social Development and Seniors Minister Barb Ramsay. "The last thing that we want is for seniors to be home isolating and not getting out and… enjoying the summer months," Ramsay said, noting that the program will continue running into the fall and winter. "Any way we can bring seniors together and allow them to have some enjoyment is what the intention is." The province will spend $161,000 to support community meals hosted by 41 organizations across the Island, she said. The grants are intended for a dual purpose — to ease food insecurity among seniors, but also to address social isolation. Numbers from 2021 show that at least 6,000 seniors on P.E.I. were living below the poverty line at that time, and that was before steep increases in the cost of living. 'So important to them' Summerside's Parkview Senior Citizens Club launched the first of this year's provincially funded community meals with an outdoor ceilidh Wednesday afternoon. About 100 people gathered for live music and barbequed burgers. "Funding is always tight to get," said Gordie Whitlock, vice-president of the club. "Seniors don't tend to go out and fundraise a lot of money… so when the province steps up to the plate and provides opportunities like this, we obviously want to take advantage of it." Whitlock said the seniors club — which includes over 200 members — has worked hard since the COVID-19 pandemic to organize social activities for seniors. "One of the biggest problems seniors face is isolation and a lack of things to do, so this club is very important to a lot of senior citizens and things like this are just so important to them," he said. "It's just important that we allow seniors to come out and socialize and have fun, and this is a good example of that."

P.E.I. approves funding for communal meals for seniors
P.E.I. approves funding for communal meals for seniors

CTV News

time23-07-2025

  • Health
  • CTV News

P.E.I. approves funding for communal meals for seniors

Several organizations in P.E.I. have been approved for more than $160,000 from the provincial government to host free community meals for seniors. The provincial government made the announcement on Wednesday, saying a total of 41 organizations have been approved for funding through the Department of Social Development and Seniors. 'Our department is committed to improving the quality of life for older Islanders, reducing social isolation, and helping seniors better connect with their communities and peers,' said Social Development and Seniors Minister Barb Ramsay. 'These meals are a great way for older Islanders to visit with friends and neighbours while enjoying a delicious meal, and wonderful hospitality provided by these outstanding community organizations.' A pilot program was launched in 2024 called the provided funding to organizations to host these free communal meals for seniors in hopes of reducing social isolation and supporting meals for older Islanders. The province says the pilot was well received by the public, leading to the program being offered for another year with grants of up to $5,000 being awarded in June. 'We see first-hand the positive impact these meals create, and how healthy it is for seniors to be interacting with their peers and having a good time,' said the chair of the Parkview Senior Citizens Club Jim Steele. 'We are proud to partner with the province to deliver these community meals.' The province says it is also developing a new five-year Seniors Action Plan which will recommend measures in hopes of helping address the needs of P.E.I.'s aging population which the province expects to be released in the fall this year. For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.

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