Written by: John DeRousie, Custom Marketing Solutions
FULTON, NY – For participants in Oswego County Opportunities’ Senior Nutrition Services Dining and Activity Centers and the Home Delivered Meals Program, answers to their concerns regarding diet and nutritional health are only a phone call away.  “Patty McGold” the mascot for OCO’s upcoming Bowl O’ Gold Bowling Tournament recently visited OCO’s Senior Dining and Activity site to learn more about how OCO’s Nutrition HELP Line benefits the seniors served by OCO meal programs.

The official mascot for Oswego County Opportunities’ upcoming Bowl O’Gold Bowling Tournament, “Patty McGold” recently visited OCO’s Senior Services’ Dining and Activity Center in Mexico to learn more about OCO’s Nutritional HELP Line. From left are: Bridget Dolbear, program coordinator of OCO Senior Services; Lesley Kline, kitchen aide; Alan Wert, distribution supervisor; Patti Williams, registered dietitian, CDN; Hilarie Townsend, maintenance distribution assistant, and Sandi Bashman, kitchen aide.

Working in collaboration with Registered Dietitian, Patti Williams, CDN, OCO’s Senior Nutrition Services Program’s Nutrition HELP Line provides participating seniors, as well as their family members and caregivers, the opportunity to access diet and nutritional information.

Williams, who has been with OCO since 1987, said that the Nutrition HELP Line offers another opportunity to further assist those utilizing OCO’s Senior Nutrition Services.  “The Nutrition HELP Line is a wonderful program.  It is available at no charge and allows participants, as well as their family members and caregivers, to receive valuable nutritional information that they would not otherwise have access to.  Our goal is to provide reliable answers to their questions so that our seniors are able to maintain good nutrition that will benefit their health.  I really enjoy doing this and it’s rewarding to know that I am really making a difference by helping people improve their health through proper nutrition,” said Williams.

According to Williams, she has answered questions on a number of food related questions, including: accurately reading and understanding food labels, clarification of nutritional information, and creating healthy diets for those dealing with cardio, cholesterol, lactose intolerant, or diabetic issues.  “We’re here to help them as best we can with meal preparation, dietary guidelines, and any other questions they may have regarding their nutritional requirements,” said Williams.

Williams, along with Registered Dietitian, Mary Cay Donovan, visit each of OCO’s senior dining and activity centers several times throughout the year to offer nutritional advice, distribute nutritional information, and present demonstrations on topics such as food safety, heart healthy eating, and cooking healthy, as well as current concerns such as the importance of Vitamin D and living with Diabetes.  The two also provide one-on-one nutritional counseling.

“We have provided nutritional education at our Senior Dining and Activity Centers and for the Home-Delivered clients since 1974,” added Amy Roland, director of OCO Senior Services.  “The Nutrition HELP Line is a very valuable service and a nice complement to what we do on site.  It is an excellent way to have nutritional information available more often so that our seniors may access it when needed and get answers to their questions and concerns as soon as possible.  The Nutrition HELP Line is an example of how OCO’s Senior Dining and Activity Centers are more than a place where seniors can go and receive a nutritious meal.  They provide a variety of other benefits such as recreation, health and wellness activities, exercise, and arts and crafts programs, as well as pertinent information on topics that are important to them.”

OCO’s Senior Services Nutrition HELP Line is available 315-592-0766 or toll free at 1-800-359-1171, ext. 1806.

On the first Wednesday of each month from 9 – 11 a.m. and the second Tuesday of each month from 1 – 3 p.m., Registered Dietitian, Patti Williams is available to receive and answer phone calls as they come in and offer personalized assistance with special diet or nutritional concerns.

On the other days an answering machine will record callers questions and concerns and Williams will return those calls in a timely manner.  She is also available via e-mail at pwilliams@oco.org

The Nutritional HELP Line is available to those in OCO’s Home Delivered Meals program or that visit one of OCO’s Senior Services Senior Dining and Activity Centers that are located at:

St. Bernadette’s Church, 1677 State Route 49, Constantia, 315-623-9803

Fulton Municipal Building, 141 S. First St., Fulton, 315-592-3408

United Methodist Church, Harwood Drive, Sandy Creek, 315-298-5020

Pontiac Terrace Apartments, East First and Oneida streets, Oswego, 315-342-0232

Presbyterian Church, 814 Rider St., Parish, 315-625-4617

Phoenix Congregational Church, 288 Bridge St., Phoenix, 315-695-4841

Hannibal Public Library, 162 Oswego St., Hannibal, 315-564-5471

Mexico Presbyterian Church, 4310 Church St., Mexico, 315-963-7757

“Patty McGold” is traveling to different OCO sites to promote OCO’s Bowl O’Gold Bowling Tournament to be held March 10 at Lakeview Lanes in Fulton. Registration is now open for 5-person teams, with choice of two flights, noon – 2:30 p.m. or 3 – 5:30 p.m.

Flights will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

Businesses and individuals may also donate door prizes for the drawings and the silent auction.  There also a limited number of opportunities for businesses and organizations interested in becoming a major sponsor of OCO’s Bowl O’ Gold Bowling Tournament.  For registration or sponsorship information, or to donate a door prize, contact OCO at 315-598-4717 or visit the agency’s website at http://www.oco.org

One of Oswego County’s largest employers, OCO provides more than 50 human service programs that touch the lives of more than 30,000 county residents each year.

OCO’s mission is to build partnerships that improve the quality of life and create successful communities.  Visit OCO on the web at http://www.oco.org. Oswego County Opportunities is a member agency of the United Way of Greater Oswego County.

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Link:
OCO Offers Nutrition HELP Line For Area Seniors