Photo: Howard Kay

Photo: Courtesy of Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors

“Plenty of seniors are on a fixed income and aren’t eating properly – they’ll have a bowl of soup or a salad and that will be it. I’ve been in some apartments where there are women having soda crackers and a glass of tea for lunch,” explains Lionel Lapidus, 78. Over the 15 years that he’s volunteered as head cashier at the Anne & Nathan Steinberg Family Cafeteria at the Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors (CJCS) , he’s come to know a lot about the needs of seniors for nutritious food.

“I think there comes a time in everyone’s life when they have to save in case they get sick or sometimes they need to pay for their medicine or their rent, so they refrain from spending on food. That’s why a lot of seniors fall and break their hip or end up in the hospital from malnutrition. To be realistic, buying kosher food costs a lot of money. And it’s not just how much the food costs, it’s all the additional things you need to have to cook it. And then there’s the clean up. It’s time consuming and difficult and many seniors can’t manage it.

“The meals at the Centre are partially subsidized for those who can’t afford to pay the full price and, if need be, you can get food vouchers – nobody is refused,” he says proudly. “Young people come here too. Students sit here and eat or take a meal home.  It’s a fast and convenient way to get a good kosher meal.”

Some people, he notes, come to the cafeteria because they live in the area and enjoy eating in the company of their friends. Others come because of the caring service. “You don’t have to stand in line, the staff will serve you at your table if you need it.”

For those who can only get to the Cummings Centre occasionally, an entire week’s worth of meals can be picked up. Those who are anxious about going out on cold, slippery winter days, as well as individuals who find it impossible to come to the Centre at all because their mobility is limited, can take advantage of Meals on Wheels. This volunteer service will deliver food directly to their door. The Centre also offers a bus service to grocery stores for seniors who can’t drive or don’t enjoy shopping all alone.

Lionel likes to help other people. He says, “I get up in the morning and I have a destination. It keeps my mind alert. My kids are very happy. They know where I am and that I’m not home moping.” He originally came upon the Centre by chance, he recalls, “I walked in to the cafeteria and within five minutes I was hooked. I was so impressed by the things they do here that I decided to volunteer.

“One thing that sticks out in my mind,” Lionel recalls, “two years ago I was laid up with sciatica and got a call every day from food services, ‘Do I need anything, do I have enough food.’ All I had to say was what I wanted and it was delivered to me. I was sick for two months and I believe, and always will believe, that this agency was responsible for my recovery as much as any doctor. It’s really a jewel in the community.”