Niagara County Office for the Aging, Sunrise Café, partner for senior lunches

Submitted by the Public Information Office

The Niagara County Office for the Aging (OFA) announced it has launched a new pilot program, in conjunction with Sunrise Café in Gasport, to offer senior citizens an affordable, quality lunch. Seniors can purchase a reduced-price voucher for a full lunch, and OFA funds will cover the difference with the restaurant.

“OFA operates congregate dining programs across the county, but these are not cost-effective in areas with less population where participation can be inconsistent,” said Darlene DiCarlo, director of Niagara County OFA. “We are excited to launch this new program at a private restaurant as a way to still provide an affordable meal to seniors.”

Seniors who are 60 years and older and reside in Niagara County can purchase a voucher from OFA for $3.25 and redeem the voucher at Sunrise Café for one of three choices from the senior menu. The menu items, which come with milk, coffee and fruit, are:

√ Sandwich and soup of the day – daily sandwich offering and a cup of soup 

√ Grilled vegetable wrap – provolone cheese, garden mix, seasonal vegetables grilled to perfection 

√ Cheeseburger – American, Swiss or provolone, with choice of fries, macaroni or potato salad

“We appreciate Renee Tetrault, owner for the Sunrise Café, joining with us to launch this effort,” DiCarlo said. “If this proves successful, we will look to expand it to other locations throughout Niagara County.”

Lunch vouchers are available at the OFA Office, located at 111 Main St., Suite 101, Lockport, during normal business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays). Sunrise Café is located at 8503 Rochester Road, Gasport.