Butler County's aging services support network serves local seniors during the pandemic
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Elderly Services Program and Council on Aging (COA) - the Area Agency on Aging for Butler County and ESP's administrator - have been an important support network for Butler County older adults. Together, ESP and COA have provided more than 2,758 14 day emergency food boxes to ESP clients who receive home-delivered meals. And, the program is serving neighbors who’ve never needed help before – since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, ESP hotlines have received more than 14,600 phone calls.
Seniors who live in low-income senior apartment buildings in Butler County have received special "comfort" meals during the pandemic. The meals have come from LaRosa's, Taste of Belgium and Frisch's through a partnership with Council on Aging. More than 3,400 of these meals have been distributed in Butler County. Older adults will continue to be impacted by COVID-19 for the foreseeable future. The Elderly Services Program is an important community resource they can turn to when they need help. For information about the program or to ask about services, call (513) 868-9281. |
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COVID-19 Success Stories in Butler County
Hamilton food icon Neal's Famous BBQ joins comfort meal program
Good food. Homemade food.
Mike Neal doesn’t know how else to cook. And neither does his wife, Deborah.
Their restaurant, Neal’s Famous BBQ in Hamilton, OH, is the latest partner to join Council on Aging's (COA) program to deliver comfort meals to area low-income seniors. COA has partnered with many area restaurants, including minority-owned businesses such as Neal’s Famous BBQ, to provide meals to the community’s older neighbors during the pandemic. Nearly 3,500 of these meals have been delivered to low-income Butler County older adults during the pandemic.
Mike is thrilled to be on board. “It means a great deal to be able to serve our seniors,” he says. “This is an opportunity to give back to our community. Seniors deserve the best; they gave us their best throughout their lives, now it’s our turn.”
Mike and his three brothers and sister grew up watching his father cook for the family and community. His dad was a professional chef and used only fresh ingredients to make homemade meals. “He didn’t know how to make a small plate,” Mike says with a smile as he remembers his childhood. “He measured his love by his big meals.”
Mike followed in his father’s footsteps and Neal’s BBQ is known for its homemade food – of course, the barbeque – but also homemade meatloaf, fish and chicken, as well as homemade sides and desserts.
Starting on the street corner in 2001 with a grill, three loaves of bread and some meat, Neal’s Famous BBQ has grown to serve Hamilton through its brick and mortar store front on North Third Street as a community staple for 19 years.
Neal’s Famous BBQ, as successful as it is, has not escaped the sometimes devastating economic touch of the COVID-19 pandemic. At first, he had to lay off some of his employees, but everyone is back now. When restaurants were closed for dine-in service, Mike kept their business going by serving hundreds of boxed meals daily to first responders.
Since April, more than 27,000 comfort meals have arrived at the doors of seniors in need thanks to Council on Aging’s partnerships with LaRosa’s Pizzeria, Taste of Belgium, Frisch’s, La Soupe, C&M BBQ Grille, Chef Anthony Jordan and now Neal’s Famous BBQ.
COA’s comfort meal program is a community partnership. The meals are paid for by COA – using federal funds to expand meal service to older adults during the pandemic. Then COA service providers collect the meals from each restaurant and deliver them to low-income senior apartment buildings across COA’s service area. Service coordinators, staff and volunteers at each building distribute the meals to residents.
Good food. Homemade food.
Mike Neal doesn’t know how else to cook. And neither does his wife, Deborah.
Their restaurant, Neal’s Famous BBQ in Hamilton, OH, is the latest partner to join Council on Aging's (COA) program to deliver comfort meals to area low-income seniors. COA has partnered with many area restaurants, including minority-owned businesses such as Neal’s Famous BBQ, to provide meals to the community’s older neighbors during the pandemic. Nearly 3,500 of these meals have been delivered to low-income Butler County older adults during the pandemic.
Mike is thrilled to be on board. “It means a great deal to be able to serve our seniors,” he says. “This is an opportunity to give back to our community. Seniors deserve the best; they gave us their best throughout their lives, now it’s our turn.”
Mike and his three brothers and sister grew up watching his father cook for the family and community. His dad was a professional chef and used only fresh ingredients to make homemade meals. “He didn’t know how to make a small plate,” Mike says with a smile as he remembers his childhood. “He measured his love by his big meals.”
Mike followed in his father’s footsteps and Neal’s BBQ is known for its homemade food – of course, the barbeque – but also homemade meatloaf, fish and chicken, as well as homemade sides and desserts.
Starting on the street corner in 2001 with a grill, three loaves of bread and some meat, Neal’s Famous BBQ has grown to serve Hamilton through its brick and mortar store front on North Third Street as a community staple for 19 years.
Neal’s Famous BBQ, as successful as it is, has not escaped the sometimes devastating economic touch of the COVID-19 pandemic. At first, he had to lay off some of his employees, but everyone is back now. When restaurants were closed for dine-in service, Mike kept their business going by serving hundreds of boxed meals daily to first responders.
Since April, more than 27,000 comfort meals have arrived at the doors of seniors in need thanks to Council on Aging’s partnerships with LaRosa’s Pizzeria, Taste of Belgium, Frisch’s, La Soupe, C&M BBQ Grille, Chef Anthony Jordan and now Neal’s Famous BBQ.
COA’s comfort meal program is a community partnership. The meals are paid for by COA – using federal funds to expand meal service to older adults during the pandemic. Then COA service providers collect the meals from each restaurant and deliver them to low-income senior apartment buildings across COA’s service area. Service coordinators, staff and volunteers at each building distribute the meals to residents.
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Central Connections adapts congregate meal program to serve older adults during pandemic; older adults receive special meal at pickup
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Middletown’s Central Connections adapted their congregate meal program to be a "pick-up-and go" meal program. Each Thursday, older adults wait in line in their cars, as Executive Director Monica Smith and her team put bags of food and drink into their trunks. On Thursday, May 28, participants were treated to a Taste of Belgium meal, including country fried steak and scrambled eggs, in addition to their normal meal pick up. “What a surprise! I’m here to pick up meals for myself and a friend, and I’m thrilled to have the extra food,” says Audrey, 88. Audrey has been a congregate meal regular for 10 years and normally visits the center five days per week. She misses her center friends but is able to keep in touch with phone calls. Click here to read more. |
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Belle Tower residents receive special meals and much-needed supplies during the pandemic
Many Butler County older adults need a little extra help because of the coronavirus pandemic. Through partnerships with area organizations, Council on Aging (COA) and Butler County’s Elderly Services Program (ESP) identified seniors in need, responding with personal care supplies and food. Through a partnership with LaRosa’s Pizzerias, low-income seniors in Butler County and other parts of southwestern Ohio are receiving a welcome change of pace to their daily meal. One such delivery was to the residents of Hamilton’s Belle Tower Apartments on April 17. Click here to read more. |
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Community answers call when food shortages reported at Butler County senior apartment buildings
On Friday, Friday, May 1, managers at two low-income apartment buildings contacted the Butler County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) to report that residents were running out of food. Within hours, Council on Aging and Butler County ESP providers were responding to meet the need. Click here to read more. |
COVID-19 News Coverage in Butler County
- March 22 – Journal News: Officials: 4 of 17 testing positive for coronavirus in Butler County remain hospitalized
- March 25 – Journal News: How Butler County is changing to help those most vulnerable in coronavirus shutdown
- March 26 – Journal News: As Butler County coronavirus cases rise, health director pleads to ‘stay the heck home’
- March 27 – Journal News: 8 Butler County residents have recovered from coronavirus, cases up to 22
- March 27 – WVXU: Health Officials To Seniors: 'Stay The Heck At Home'
- March 27 – Local12: Hotline set up to help local seniors get supplies, services they need during pandemic
- April 2 – Journal News: Positive Butler County coronavirus cases increase to 49
- April 6 – Journal News: 12 things to know today about coronavirus changes in Butler and Warren counties
- April 8 – Cincinnati Enquirer: Coronavirus in Ohio: Miami University fraternity brothers help process 21,000 meals for seniors
- April 18 – Journal News: Butler County officials warn of scams during coronavirus fear, uncertainty
- April 20 – Journal News: Butler County non-profit watching out or vulnerable seniors during coronavirus