Senior citizens got a ride to the dinner on a recently purchased bus.
For the second time in a few years, Mantua Township hosted a dinner on Oct. 24 for the community’s senior citizens at the reopened township community center.
According to Mayor Robert Zimmerman, 115 people showed and talked with local Mantua officials. Food was provided by Mission BBQ in Deptford.
The event – sponsored by the township recreation department – had been on hold in recent years due to both COVID and building issues at the community center.
“This is the second one, the first took place on June 13, we have had in some time,” said Zimmerman. “It was a combination of COVID and work needing to get done. We had found structural weaknesses in the building’s roof and had to make sure it was safe to be in.”
Travel to the dinner was provided by the township with a newly acquired senior bus they purchased with assistance from a $50,000 county grant. Members of the Mantua committee were also on hand and Committeeman John Legge opened the event with the Pledge of Allegiance. Committeewoman Eileen Lukens provided the opening prayer.
Police Chief Darren White briefly addressed seniors on potential scams. The dinner was also a Philadelphia Phillies-themed event to mark the team’s appearance in the playoffs.
Six more senior dinners are planned for 2024, and an additional three will be hosted at nearby restaurants.
“It’s one of the things our seniors always look forward to,” Zimmerman noted of the dinners. “We’re very proud of our senior program and we look to continue our services. We’ll take some feedback (from people) and gauge things based on what their interests are and adjust accordingly.”
To attend future senior dinners, register for free and join the senior monthly mailing list of activities by contacting Deputy Clerk Pam LeVine at (856) 468-1500, ext. 113.
“We value our seniors in the community,” said Zimmerman, “and we facilitate things to help their daily lives here in Mantua.”
