Renovated County Senior Center Nutrition Site Opens In Manahawkin

MANAHAWKIN, N.J. — The renovated Ocean County Southern Service Center Senior Nutrition Site and Home Delivered Meals Production Kitchen held their grand opening Tuesday in Manahawkin.

The newly renovated kitchen now provides home delivered meals for all of Ocean County, consolidating with the kitchen at the Ocean County Northern Resource Center in Lakewood. The center is located at 179 South Main St. at Routes 72 and 9.

“This is a great day for our seniors and for our outreach efforts,” said Ocean County Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, who is Chairman of the Office of Senior Services. “We are so proud of this program. Much more than a meal, this site houses a lifeline to many of our seniors who are frail and homebound."

The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders awarded a contract to Ranco Construction, Inc., of Southampton for $950,500 to renovate the building, which once housed a gymnasium. The building provides 2,000 square feet of additional service area for the county's senior nutrition program, while allows for expanded meal preparation.

The renovated nutrition site can hold up to 200 people. The staff and drivers also help provide daily wellness checks for many seniors who can no longer get around on their own, Vicari said.

“The socialization, recreation, educational programs and health screenings that are offered at this nutrition site and others around the County provide many benefits for our seniors and help to keep them active,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director Virginia E. Haines.

While construction was under way, there was no interruption of service for the nutrition site and home delivered meals, Vicari said. The project also included creating storage facilities, expanding administrative space for client services, and more refrigeration. The ceiling was also lowered with installation of sprinklers.

Two power generators will power the facility during power outages. The County originally opened the center in 2011 to provide Southern Ocean residents with the opportunity to access some local senior services programs.

“With its convenient location, we quickly included the Ocean County Surrogate, Veterans Services and other senior assistance programs,” Vicari said. “This facility plays an integral role in the delivery of our services and programs to residents in the southern area of the County and now across the County.”